Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    8/10/2015

    This place was FANTASTIC!

    Total family feel, 100% authentic, and you can tell this place has been around for a while. We ordered the specials of the day: Grilled Calamari and the seafood risotto; they were delicious.
    Not only was the food extraordinary, but the service and portions were as well!!

    Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area and looking for some nice home cooked Italian food :)

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/9/2015

    Authentic and fantastic! The service, the food and the price was all worth the effort of crazy driving, and hard to find parking. Next time I'll use the $7 valet I think. We arrived at this packed little restaurant that reminded me of an Italian restaurant in a hollywood movie. Some place where half the guests are well known by the staff.

    I went with my brother and a few of his friends. My brother got lasagna, I gotta fettuccine with a garlic sauce and chicken. His friends got a seafood special, spaghetti and meatballs and a gnocchi dish. Oh and we had a couple of appetizers, muscles and a shrimp thing over mashed potatoes. Who knew mashed potatoes could be an appetizer or be such a good appetizer? Everyone enjoyed their meals and even though I was I really like mine I was jealous of the gnocchi. I gave it a taste and wished I'd ordered it instead. LOL

    I was the only one who saved room for dessert (brought about half my plate back for hubby dear who missed out on the amazingness). I ordered cannoli and got a couple people at the table to try it out.

    I'll be back and will bring along hubby next time.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/19/2015
    1 check-in

    Small (kinda cramped) hole in the wall in Chicago that has AMAZING Italian food.  We started with grilled and fried calamari.  Both major delicious.  I ordered the chilean sea bass (from the specials) and wow, this was soon good.  If it is on the special list when you go I recommend getting this.  I tried a friend's chicken parm (not on the menu, you have to ask for it) and it was incredible as well.  Service was above par (from making reservations to the servers)

    Be warned though:  this place is a little cramped and it is LOUD.  I had a hard time hearing what the people around me were saying.  I had gone in with a splitting headache and this unfortunately didn't help.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/28/2015 Updated review

    I've been going here for three years now and it never disappoints! The food is amazing every time! Please go, order anything, and I guarantee you will return.

    5.0 star rating
    8/20/2012 Previous review
    I have been here twice and will return many many more times!! I come from an Italian family and… Read more
  • 1.0 star rating
    7/4/2015
    1 check-in

    I went after I'd been eating all day, so I got a few plates to share with a friend, and our bill was modest. We left over 20% tip, or tried to, but they helped themselves to 10 TIMES the tip I tried to leave. I mean I guess it's possible it was a typo, but I've never had that happen in years of charging my meals, nor have I ever heard of it happening. The "tip" was more than twice the cost of my meal. And believe me, the service was not that good, and I did not intentionally leave such a tip. Booooo.

    As for the food, the lasagna in particular, it was so salty it made my mouth burn. And I'm not especially sensitive to that, I can't think of another time I've ever had that thought about restaurant food. If I want that experience again I'll just go gargle some sea water and save myself the scamming.

    A few co-workers recommended it so I tried it for dinner when a friend visited and wanted to do Chicago stuff. Fail.

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/20/2015

    Don't believe the hype.  I have been here a couple of times in the past--a friend of mine and I split a $250 gift card at a charity auction.  Dinner for 4 (to my surprise, we went over).  It is my understanding that in the restaurant business, there is a concept called "Chicago Style".  This means pretty decent food, and PLENTY OF IT--that is what they offer here.  The place is a real dump--some may mistake this for charming, but it is not.  Lowest end of chairs, tableware, etc.  Staff is a super professional operation, really hustling in this totally packed  dungeon We were almost seated in the kitchen.Loaded with tourists with bags from American Girl and Macy's due to the location.  There are SO MANY OPTIONS  for this kind of food at this price, why come here?

  • 3.0 star rating
    4/19/2015
    1 check-in

    As soon as we walked in, I noticed that the restaurant smelled like a musty basement.  Even though La Scarola isn't intended to be a classy, sophisticated establishment, it's still selling edible goods, and the smell was a huge turn off.

    The restaurant is teeny tiny, emphasized by the tables crammed together or angled into odd corners.  White paper covers the tables, but the banquet chairs are hideous.  All of this could have been overlooked IF La Scarola served great food.

    A lot of reviews noted the bread wasn't fresh from the oven.  We had the same experience.  Although, bread is bread in some cases, and we enjoyed dipping it in the olive oil and parmesan cheese on the table.

    The wine list is simple, so I had a Pinot Grigio.

    The menu is huge, and all of the dishes delivered to our table looked incredible.  I tried some of Dominic P's pasta with spicy marinara.  It was really tasty and a good, simple dish.  My parents were happy with their ravioli and lasagna as well.

    I had the vodka pasta with shrimp and asparagus.  The shrimp were plump and plenty, but the sauce was terrible.  It was creamy, but flavorless.  I didn't eat much of my entree, took the leftovers to go, but ended up tossing the rest.

    Perhaps I just ordered the "wrong thing," but considering that I ordered the most expensive entree in our group and didn't like it isn't a good thing.

    Service is crap.  The servers were all bustling around, and didn't even move out of our way when we tried to go to the bathroom.  There is no attentiveness.  The bathroom was pathetic and in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint.

    Hey, at least we found free street parking.  Give it a shot before you pay for valet.

    My personal experience was more like 2-stars, but since the rest of my party gobbled up their food, I guess I'll bump it to a 3.  But with so many Italian restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs, there's no reason to come back - or come at all.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/12/2015

    Totally full of character, nice guy working there, free shots, fun, big portions, food was tasty, an institution.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/15/2015
    1 check-in

    So many great things to say about La Scarola.  The food is absolutely amazing. Tastes like it is coming right out of grandmas kitchen.  The wait staff is so helpful and friendly.

    We had an 8 pm reservation, when we got there the place was packed.  They nicely told us it would be a few minutes and if we minded waiting at the bar.  Of course we did not so we headed to the bar and got a glass of wine.  The wait was longer than expected, but the owner was very persistent about letting us know it would be just a little bit longer until we sat down.  They had glasses of wine for $7 which is just about impossible to find these days in Chicago, I was a fan.

    We ordered the grilled octopus to start which was divine. We got the big rigatoni special and the spaghetti and meatballs to share.  Both were amazing. I will absolutely be returning to La Scarola

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/13/2015

    What is happening to La Scarola?
    Closed for lunches?
    So dissapointed. I have to say the last 2 times we order take out the sauce on the entrees was watery, and tasteless. This has been one of my old time favorite restaurants but ls been dissaponting this past year. The inside of the restaurant  is looking run down and dirty to be honest with you, it makes you not want to go in at all.
    I have to beg my friends to go there now. I miss you La Scarola...  sight.

    Needs remodeling ASAP.
    Need new energetic happy staff (New!! All new.) needs the owner in the kitchen like he used to be. He has the magic touch.
    Needs some tlc and food consistency. Please. I want to go back...!

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/3/2014
    2 check-ins

    I came here with a group of nine for a friend's farewell dinner on a Saturday. The restaurant gets very packed on the weekend, but they did a good job accommodating such a big party.

    All of the dishes were very generous portions and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. I got the Eggplant Parmigiana. It was pretty good - nothing exceptional. The eggplant was cooked all the way through and there was a good amount of cheese on top. My husband, on the other hand, got the Veal Mondelli. It was sooo delicious, I contemplated stealing his dish. The veal was pounded into thin medallions, sautéed with mushrooms and zucchini. It also came with a side of pasta. He was able to get the angle hair pasta as a side, and it went really well with the dish. I think I ate about half of his dinner. I'll be going back just to get that dish for myself. It was very delicious!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/1/2015

    Was here 10 years ago on our honeymoon and came back recently for our 10 year anniversary.  Still fantastic!  Talked with Joey the owner who always seems to be there looking it over.  He did a shot with us and all was perfect.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/4/2015

    I absolutely love the pasta at this joint! They do some traditional pasta that is delicious as well as some coloring outside of the lines. My favorite unique pasta here was the jalapeño pesto. Never disappointed here.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/5/2015

    Food was great. The drinks were also really well done. If you're into Mediterranean food, I would definitely check this place out.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/19/2014
    1 check-in

    As far as Italian food goes, I can't say I have had much that was better than La Scarola. The walk in to the restaurant is a little intimidating- packed with people, cramped space, and you feel like everyone is looking at you as you walk by.

    We had an 8pm reservation, and they had the appropriate sized table ready for us when we got there. We loved looking at all the pictures on the wall of famous, and not famous people who came to the restaurant. There was such a sense of pride in their restaurant. It definitely gave off that Italian family, old school vibe.

    Waters arrived quickly, as did someone to take drink orders. Beer selection is limited, but there was a nice wine selection.

    Large baskets of crusty Italian bread then arrived, which was good, but not hot out of the oven like I've experienced elsewhere. For apps, we tried the mussels, grilled and fried calamari, and the shrimp armani. I'd never had mussels before, and they were good, nothing I would think to order again, but my table deemed them the best mussels they'd ever had. The shrimp armani was so fantastic- huge shrimp over delectable mashed potatoes in a red sauce... mmmmmmm.... and the fried calamari was the best I'd ever had too! I did not try the grilled-- looked "too real" for me. My table said it was good, albeit a little too chewy.

    For the main course, I stuck with bowtie pasta with meatballs. A giant portion was given with 3 garlicky, perfect meatballs. It totaled up to 3 meals over a few days for me! Everyone else loved their dinners too, and everyone left with extras. Prices were very reasonable for what you got.

    The owner took time to speak to everyone there. He seemed to have some favorites who were given free shots, but alas, that was not us.

    Overall, it was a truly different but amazing Italian dining experience. I would go back in a heartbeat. On the way out, I realized that even though it is cramped, everyone was focused on their fantastic food and could care less at who was walking by! Thanks for a great night!!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/28/2015

    Went there for dinner this past Saturday and it's by far the best Italian food I've had. So good. The owner was having dinner across from us with his friends and you could tell it was a genuine family Italian restaurant.

  • 3.0 star rating
    5/12/2015

    Service was friendly, food was not as good as it used to be 5+ years ago. Spaghetti with meatballs was not good; tasted strange and had some kind of herb or spice that did not belong in the sauce or meatballs. Clam linguini was a tad salty and clam were chewy. Very mediocre Italian food. Bread was hard and dry; we got the old ends.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/24/2014
    1 check-in

    Great family style Italian restaurant in my neighborhood that helps avoid the tourist attraction chaos.

    I had the gnocchi primavera and it is a rich but delicious dish that you have to try!!

    I also had a nibble or two of the grilled calamari and octopus which were fresh and cooked to perfection.

    Don't miss out on this traditional gem if you're craving real authentic Italian food with the ambiance of family and friends built right in!

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/3/2015

    So maybe I hit them on an off night, but I grew up in NY eating Italian food and this was just not that good. Had and anitpasto appetizer as well as sausages and peppers both were unexceptional; the sausage and peppers were particularly underwhelming. Not bad, just not that good, I could have done better at home. For entrees, my Chicken Angelo had a listless marsala sauce that just lacked any sort of flavor. My date had the Capelini Fra Diavolo, also listless, lacking any punch. The portions were big, but that was sort of besides the point, given the food was not that great. Dinner was capped by a cannoli that made me regret blowing the calories. So I could see one dish being a miss, but this was pretty consistent across the board; I won't be back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/12/2015
    1 check-in

    The service was too notch and so was the food. It was too many of us to name the foods that was order.

  • 3.0 star rating
    4/18/2015

    We had a 7:30 reservation and ended up waiting 45 minutes for our table to be ready. Luckily it was a beautiful night and we weren't in a rush. However, there was little apology on their end about the long wait. The server was also trying to rush us out of our table, which considering how long it took us to get one is a bit absurd.

    In terms of the food. My boyfriend had the steak and he said it was good, but a little overdone. I and the Salmon Mondellini and it was very good but didn't have enough risotto in my opinion. The wine selection was fantastic. We had 3 bottles and they were great and reasonably priced.

    The ambiance was crowded and vey loud. Not a good spot for wanting to actually have a conversation. The food was definitely good but I recommend Mia Francesa over La Scarola any day of the week. And they never responded to my email confirming my reservation time.

  • 3.0 star rating
    5/18/2015

    Definitely make reservations.  Came here last year in November with my boyfriend for his birthday.  Large food portions.  Lively, loud atmosphere; it was almost completely packed when we went.  The place is covered in photos and memorabilia of famous people, etc.  The bar was pretty cool.  The specials are handwritten on a paper that's inserted into their laminated menu and I thought that was awesome.  Makes the experience feel personal.

    We ordered the Chicken Vesuvio, Pasta Primavera, and fried zucchini for appetizer.  Pretty good.  Again, LARGE PORTIONS!!!  We had the leftovers for breakfast the day after and it was still good.  Great service.  Will definitely come back another time when it's not so busy.  Wish I could find pictures of the food that I took then.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/3/2014
    1 check-in

    Yep! It's tasty and filling. It's the type of place where you eat half your plate, take the other half home, and then immediately undo your belt buckle to free up some space for your gut.

    This is just like the restaurants my family went to when I was a small boy. Now I'm a big boy, and I eat at these places on business trips. Hee-hee!!

    I love that every Italian in history has his or her face plastered on the walls. I think it's dumb that there are no Italian-Americans working here.  I guess if they only hired Italian looking people that would be a discriminatory practice. The ACLU would be all over this place. Oh well. Maybe if the waiters sang O' Sole Mio I wouldn't notice they're not cugini.

    Keep it real, Scarola. Scarola is escarole. So, that's pretty Italian. Nice work!

  • 3.0 star rating
    4/19/2015
    1 check-in

    Good food, second class everything else.

    Came here on Friday after work with a friend. I called ahead and made a 7:30 reservation, but at 7:30 when my friend showed  they said there was a wait and to go next door and they would text us. An hour later they still hadn't texted and I walked back over. The host said he told my friend we should have returned in 10 minutes because our table had been and was now ready. I got seated and texted my friend and he came by, and confronted the host about the fact he said he would text us when our table was ready. The host said he knew but he had lost my number. Great so he lied, ARGH. Whatever, dude sent over free shots of tequila (2 for each of us during the course of the evening.) We were seated in front of a table of rowdy, drunk guys who proceeded to cheer every time they downed the multiple shots they were doing. I can't believe they did not get kicked out. The restaurant was loud anyway and with the dudes it was practically impossible to have a conversation. By the time our food came I pretty much just wanted to eat and leave. We had grilled octopus, a house salad, free bread, and rigatoni with vodka sauce. It had shrimp and asparagus and between me and my date we shared it and didn't finish it. Huge portion. Really great food. It is unfortunate they don't value their guests enough to cultivate a civilized dining atmosphere. This is a hole in the wall that truly lives up to the name and I don't think I will be back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/12/2015

    Loved this neighborhood gem. We walked in without reservations and were greeted by a "let's get down to business" host. Without the luxury of a reservation (call in only, no new age OpenTable voodoo) we were outcasted to a 2-seater by the bar and next to the Men's john. Who's ready to eat?!

    We enjoyed a generous pour of wine and a loaf of bread and olive oil as we settled in. The waitstaff reminded me of Erie Cafe and Gene and Georgetti- you are here, you are family, nothing fancy, let's get to it.  

    The pollo ponzio and pollo Italiano were both tasty. The chocolate cake (if you have room) was good not great. Small slice but that just means we wanted more so how much can I complain?

    If you desire to continue your night, head next door to Richards (it's the bar your grandfather frequented during his navy days) or walk across the street to The Dawson for a more contemporary scene. Otherwise, walk off the carbs, head east to take in the skyline at night and enjoy another perfect Chicago spring evening.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/26/2014
    1 check-in
    Listed in Chicago FTW!

    Step one: Go here.
    Step two: Order the pasta with Vodka sauce.
    Step three: Prepare for a very authentic, very delicious meal, that makes you feel not only like a local, but like a member of a specialized enclave of Chicago.

    Because I was the lone lady with five guys our server kept calling me Queen, which of course, I loved. I had a cocktail to start and then we had a bottle of wine between us, nothing special, just an Italian table wine but it was perfect. We also shared a three desserts between us, which were all delicious, but if you just have to pick one, I'd say cannoli or spumoni.

    The decor, at least where we were sitting was sort of a cross between neighborhood restaurant (pictures of customers from over the years) and teenage boys' room (boob posters, a transformer head which was super cool and actually from the movie), etc. Just a total, wonderful trip.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/28/2015

    La Scarola has a ton of old world charm and delicious Italian food. The menu has a large variety of appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, pastas and desserts.  There was also a nice list of specials on a separate piece of paper. We started with the sausage and peppers appetizer ($7.95). I had the Linguine and Clams in a red sauce ($20.95) and my wife had the Veal Marsala ($24.95). Everything was really great and the portions were plenty for lunch the next day. We will definitely be back very soon. I think it would be a nice place to bring out of town guests.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/6/2015

    I'm sure there was some mafia activity here based on the old school decor along with some sports and celebrity photos on the wall.

    The service was very professional and accommodating.

    The Food:

    Garlic Spinach: I recommend!

    Calamari: crunchy, sweet and tender.

    Sausage and Peppers: sausages were pretty standard as you'd get elsewhere but I did  like the scorched green peppers.

    Veal Parmesan: Disappointing. Soggy with way too much cheese.

    The menu has a lot of tempting choices so I'd go back to try another entree.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/30/2015

    I was here recently with some friends before heading to the UC for a Hawks game.  I love this place!  I've been here numerous times through the years and it never disappoints.

    If you've never been here, be warned: it is busy, cramped, and loud.  All three add to the experience ... in a good way.

    On this most recent visit I ordered the Chicken Vesuvio.  It was delicious!  My only complaint (and this is nit-picky) - the plate was too small for the portion I received.  My chicken was piled-up on top of potatoes making it difficult to cut without food falling off my plate.  

    Service was impeccable.  As always.  

    La Scarola provides great food, great service, and a great atmosphere!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/12/2015

    I ordered La Scarola through DoorDash for delivery and it was awesome! Authentic dishes and really good ingredients. The escarole and beans dish was so yummy. I will be going back and visiting the restaurant instead!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/11/2015

    top notch. The ambience, service and decorum are exceptional and only surpassed by the food. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes.

  • 1.0 star rating
    8/5/2015

    Place is great if your idea of good Italian is the Olive Garden. The Chicken Vesuvio people rave about is a joke and the staff is clueless. Do yourself a favor and go to a real Italian place in Chicago there are many that are actually authentic.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/14/2015

    I went to La Scarola with my family - brothers, wives, gfs etc - after seeing a movie.  We all had a great experience.  Food was great - larger portions that I expected, but they prepared well the following day or so for lunch.  The restaurant has a warm and lively atmosphere.  They had kitchy wall art, but came off genuine instead of contrived.

    Will go again

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/30/2014
    1 check-in
    Listed in Italian

    Yep, I'm giving you 4 stars even though we had a 45 minute wait for our reserved table. La Scarola is an itty bitty place packed to the brim with tables. We were a group of 10 awkwardly waiting in the way of all the hustle and bustle. The manager felt so bad he brought us rounds of whiskey and lemon drop shots. When we finally sat down, they offered us three free appetizers to make up for the mess of a dinner reservation. We had the bruschetta, fried zucchini and grilled calamari. I'd read such great things on here about the calamari, I was quite disappointed when ours was overcooked (this is where I deducted the fifth star). After delicious bread and appetizers our main dishes came out right away. The pasta dishes are huge. I can't imagine a grown man finishing a whole plate. They had a wide range of pricing-something for everyone. I was able to get 3 more meals out of my leftovers so you definitely get your money's worth. I really enjoyed how my Macaroni Arrabiata was the perfect amount of spicey.

    All in all, the service was great and the food was delicious. I'll be back!

  • 1.0 star rating
    2/14/2015

    I've been here before and we thought the food was pretty great. we decided to go this year on valentines day, so I made a reservation about a month ago.

    Called today and they said they didn't have my reservation but to just come in and they'd seat me. After hanging up I realized that if they're gonna just seat me, I would really feel more comfortable with a res. called them back and explained, the guy did not understand so gave the phone to someone else without updating this new guy, so I had to explain myself a second time. This guy tells me he won't make a reservation for me but I can call back in 2 hrs and try w the manager. Sorry but that's terrible customer service. They made the mistake and now are asking me to chase them around. No thanks. Won't be eating there tonight or ever again. Food isn't good enough to put up with this- you're not schwa.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/20/2015

    You have to try this place.  Family style sizing and great food.  Love the pictures on the walls and service as well.  My favorite is the chicken and garlic pasta.  Oh good for lunch

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/16/2015

    The fried calamari wasn't my favorite, but the Penne alla Vodka was phenomenal. Who would have thought of throwing asparagus in there? Dee-lish.

    Definitely not over the top (which I love). Straight-to-the-business staff. They are not there to impress, but to do their job, which is to be attentive, and ensuring you leave happy and ridiculously full (with leftovers in hand). Charmy; feels like your Gram-Gram is going to pop out of the back kitchen and force-feed you spoonfuls of fattening risotto. Miss you Gram-Gram, but La Scarola will have to do.

    Still craving the "homey establishment" vibe post-La Scarola? Walk two steps down to Richard's for a cheap beer and great company. These two make for a perfect night.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/2/2015

    Phenomenal Italian food!  Great atmosphere and service, too!  We had appetizers, a main course, and dessert and they ALL were legitimately good!

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/12/2015
    1 check-in

    Everything was great! We started with the fried zucchini and broccoli salad. The salad was great! We got the vodka penne, linguini and clams, and meat lasagna. All of them were delicious! We ended dinner with tiramisu and a cannoli. They even put a candle in the dessert since it was for a birthday. The service was pretty good and we would def all go back again. Not to mention, huge portions!

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/7/2014
    1 check-in

    Went to La Scarola last night and it was quite possibly the best meal I've ever had at a restaurant in Chicago.

    We had a 9pm reservation and had to wait a few minutes after we arrived.

    It was well worth the wait as we were told by people that were leaving while we were waiting.

    Started off with the Shrimp Armani.  The shrimp were big and the potatoes were fucking delicious.

    Had the Grilled Calamari appetizer next.  The size of the dish was perfect for sharing and it was also very very good.

    For our entrees I had the Linguini and Clams with white sauce and she had the Sea Bass special.  Both dishes were absolutely delicious.  I'm not even going to bother describing them.  Wouldn't do any justice.

    Finished with a tasty Canolli for dessert.

    Can't wait to go back and try more things on the menu.

    My new favorite spot in Chicago.

    5 big stars for La Scarola.

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 3.0 star rating
    8/18/2014
    1 check-in

    Not a good date place. Pretty loud and cramped. Probably not good for kids either. We had the calamari appetizer which would have been good if not for the bitter burnt garlic flavor it had. I had the gnocchi and sausage special. The sausage overpowered the entire dish and the gnocchi was not so good. Plus all the grease from the meat pooled at the bottom of the dish. My friend had the spaghetti with ricotta meatballs which was pretty delicious. The red sauce tasted fresh and had great flavor. I'd say for the price it may not be worth it.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/1/2015
    1 check-in

    Visited Chicago for the NZ v USA Rugby match. Match outcome aside it was a great trip and La Scarola was part of the greatness. It fit expectations a relatively small, local Italian restaurant. Pictures everywhere of visiting celebrities pack the walls. The wait staff was amicable and prompt. For the meal we started off with the Grilled Octopus which I believe was a special. That was very good and might not be what you'd expect. Next the shrimp and mashed potatoes as another app. For entree I had the Sea Bass special which again was great. Unfortunately I've lost track of the wine we had but as I recall the selection was good. Overall a great pick.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/30/2014
    1 check-in

    Not only is the food spectacular and authentic... The staff offers exceptional customer service! Definitely feel like part of the family in a small Italian kitchen at home!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/26/2015

    Good little Italian hole in the wall. waiters are mostly all Italian. The menu is great and they have daily specials that were written on a piece of paper. Tiramisu was delish.

    I actually broke my shoe while we were walking out, and one of the waiters helped me staple it back together so I could at least walk outside to a cab!

  • 3.0 star rating
    4/7/2014
    1 check-in

    I have had a love/hate relationship with this place for years. I know most of my friends list this high on their list of personal favorites. I just don't feel the same love I once did. I took some time away from here. I thought maybe I had just grown tired of it. I don't think that's the case. I was underwhelmed all over again.

    You need to know that its always packed here. Reservations mean nothing. You will just be told to head next door and drink for a while. This tends to lead to very drunk girls dining here. I cant tell you how many fights I've witnessed at surrounding tables here. I cant blame the poor girls that have probably been drinking on an empty stomach for well over an hour.

    The service is all about rushing you out the door. Its just not my thing. The food is good. It's not at all my personal favorite though. The fact that I can easily name 5 other places I prefer keeps me from dealing with the service here.

    If you are eating here I would check out the specials or stick with pasta. I have always been really disappointed with chicken and veal here.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/30/2015
    1 check-in

    Solid meal. The decor is nothing fancy but personally I like the atmosphere. Smaller place, peer "table cloths", etc. You get the picture. My son and I seem to always get the same dish no matter where we go. We both had the pasta arrabiata (spicy) with seafood and loved it. Sauce was very rich and tasty.  And to be honest after 2 bottles of Sangiovese that's all I remember aside from  basic appetizers such as the calamari which did not disappoint. Again, nothing fancy here just good straight forward Italian food. Solid choice and after you can always go next door to Richards for a drink.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/24/2014

    I visited La Scarola for the first time yesterday. I read on Yelp that the dress was casual which is very much accurate.  Pictures of the owner with celebrities decorate most of the walls. There is a mural of italian houses and even that has photos of groups in the windows.

    The service was good Nothing horrible nor outstanding. They brought out bread immediately. It always disappoints me when an italian restaurant or any restaurant for that matter doesn't serve bread fresh out of the oven. The bread was pretty soft though even though it wasn't hand warming fresh.

    We started with the clams mondeli which are baked clams with breadcrumb mix on top. These were delicious. A good breadcrumb to clam ratio and the clam was cooked just right.

    I had the special pasta sinatra. It was penne with vodka sauce, mussels, shrimp, scallops and mushrooms.  The seafood was cooked perfectly! Not at all chewy , rubbery it was perfecto! The sauce was very creamy and well adhered to the penne. There was not a pool of left over sauce that I can swipe my penne over but the amount of sauce was sufficient enough. If you see this dish on the menu, I highly recommend it.

    The portions were enough for us to take home and probably make another meal out of it. With 2 glasses of wine, an app, two entrees, tax an tip out bill came out to $95. Pretty steep but I think it's a good special occasion italian restaurant.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/13/2014

    This is definitely my new favorite Italian restaurant. I had the vodka pasta and my boyfriend got the linguini fruti di mare. Mine were ok, but Him's were really good. What I liked the most is that the seafood was very fresh which makes a lot of diference in the taste. The service was very nice also.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/6/2014
    2 check-ins

    Oh my, they have the yummiest appetizers!  Their GRILLED (not fried) CALAMARI is the BOMB! And that chubby meaty mussels in white sauce! Ooooh they just melted in my mouth. Just perfection! I may be super hungry then, but I swear they were the best calamari and mussels I've ever had!

    Their entrees were delicious as well, but I still cant get over how amazing the appetizers were!

    Make sure to make reservation as the place gets crowded fast. Even with reservation, you might still have to wait a little bit.

    ILL BE BACK!

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/29/2014

    WoW !!! I want to say , i Love Chicago's Italian Food !!
    La Scarola offered a hand written menu, very traditional and special. We ordered the GRILLED CALAMARI as appetizer, the best calamari I have ever had. It serves with Balsamic and lemon. It was super tender and flavorful. Perfectly crispy. Delicious, Perfect, Amazing, Yummy !!! I ordered PASTA SINATRA as main dish, penne with fresh favorable shrimp, mussels, and scallops. It coated perfectly with a vodka ream sauce. It was pretty heavy and filling. (Please share) Italian food in Chi-Town is literally better than L.A. !!! I love it so much !! I will be back !!!! o . m . g.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/26/2015

    This place is small but the service is great and the food is YUMMY and totally worth it. I will definitely be returning for the sea bass and ADDICTING pasta and flavor.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/24/2014
    1 check-in

    In town for a work meeting and needed to pull together a dinner for 10.  Started yelping up options a month in advance and decided on this place.  When I arrived, my first thought was, "old school itallian".  I wanted a seat where Michael Corleone couldn't wack me coming out of the head.  The walls are covered with celeb picks (some not with us anymore) so I'm figuring this would work.

    We went with a variety of starters, fried zucchini, grilled octopus & calimari, bruschetta, etc.  Love the hand written specials and it wasn't long before we were presented with our apps.  The grilled octopus was amazing.  Very tender, perfectly done with a smokey flavor.  If I had a straw, I would have finished off the juices left on the platter.

    On to the main course... My peeps went with a variety of dishes.  The sea bass got rave reviews as did the risotto special.  I chose the Vitello di Franco.  What a great dish.  Lightly breaded, thin pounded veal accompanied by asparagus, diced tomatoes and a thin layer of melted multi cheese mix.  Wonderful, slightly salty flavors, lovely texture from the veggies and a portion size that would make a glutton blush.

    The service was outstanding.  Our server was knowledgable and attentive.  The fact that our dinners arrived simultaneously from a relatively small kitchen was impressive.

    Great old school Italian.  When I'm back in town, this is a definite revisit.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/4/2015

    Good food with serious portions and really classic family style feel. Definitely make a reservation because this place gets packed. Even when you get seated, it will be tight and there is a lot of hustle and bustle all over the place.  Went with a group of 6 and it was definitely a bit difficult to hang around the very small bar before we got seated. Once seated though, it was comfortable and the service was good. Menu is extensive and the food is tasty. Great place to go for a traditional Italian meal.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/5/2014

    I dined at La Scarola nearly a year ago on a short trip to Chicago and still can't get it out of my head :). Counting down the days until the next trip...  

    Our party tried a number of things and I was smart enough to go with the waiter recommendations from the entree to the wine. We had pasta with spicy tomato sauce, angel hair pasta with clams, Chilean Sea Bass and we finished with gelato and tiramisu.

    The staff was accommodating and fun and the ambiance was great. Can't wait to go back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/28/2014
    1 check-in

    OMG the grilled calamari here. I could have it as an appetizer and an entree. From the calamari to the cannoli, everything here is amazing. The hardest part is deviating from what I always get!

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/7/2015
    1 check-in

    I would imagine if I were to visit italy it would taste like this. I would first like to say that my group of 14 was seated promptly.  The waiters were very attentive but not to the point of us feeling like we were being rushed. The only other place that had pasta better than La Scarola was a small restaurant in the restaurant district in New York. This is how  pasta is supposed to taste, very very creamy. We shared each other plates and the Penne alla  vodka was right on point. This is a very cool spot where a person could dine solo and feel very comfortable. The calamari and tiramisu were fantastic. Kudos  to the chef and all the waiters that assisted us. We were there Saturday April 4th.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/7/2014

    Went there last night with my date for dinner. I had passed by so many times in the past and never stopped so last night was the night. Even on a Thursday night, the place was packed. It has an old-world Italian charm and quirky layout due to building, like Richards next store.

    We had Joey's salad for two which was good and shared the angel hair with clams and shrimp (She took the clams, I took the shrimp!). There were plenty of clams and just the right amount of shrimp. The sauce was very good as was the bread. We paired it with my favorite Chianti Classico. For desert, cannolis from Damatos down the street, so it was good.

    Great place for a special occasion or date.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/26/2015

    Great old school Italian by Joey Mondelli (formerly of Kelly Mondelli's on Clark Street in the old days, that served up all the celebrities of the day, and now does so here).  Off all beaten paths west on Grand you will find this intimate sized, barely decorated, and clearly not built-to-suit Italian restaurant, that is more laid out meg-shift - adding charm and down home feel.  It has been there for years and so speaks to all those who appreciate the 'if its not broke don't fix it' philosophy.  The chairs are metal and vinyl, the tables are white cloth, the walls are jammed with celebrity photos from the present and days gone by, mixed, to my liking, with Chicago Film Festival posters by photographer Victor Skrebneski, who included Joey Mondelli in one of his coffee table books.  You enter directly into the best part of the restaurant to eat, the bustling square room of tables with the open kitchen in the back round.  Watch them all come in and be greeted and treated, fascinating.  Or you will be escorted to the bar to wait, a 10 foot run of counter with no seats, that separates the two other dining rooms, narrow and windowless, comfortable and cozy.  You may then be sat opposite a long table (sometimes 30 or more people long) of those celebrating an occasion or from out of town for a convention who got the word, this is the place in Chicago for real Italian food with no frills.  The menu is extensive with truly unique Italian comfort items, not new age, more just real Italy un-Americanized, so in that way new to us, like stuffed baked clams done right and sautéed escarole with white beans, yum.  Then march down the variations of chicken, veal and pastas with seafood to boot, all engorged with flavor from a variety of sauces and vegetable concoctions.  The wine list is basic, making the experience all the more our favorite place to repeat on every Sunday we can, and get our 'usual wine' and our 'favorite appetizers' and then due the vast menu, try a new entrée every time or one of their incredible specials which are so appealing.  Armando roams the restaurant as if a fellow patron just passing through, but then he stops at your table, plunks down shot glasses and pours ... salute, bam...then he is off to get busy again. What can you say to that...?  Try this place and it will be part of your rotation too.  Of course they are not on Open Table, so call for a reservation to be sure.  Thanks Joey and Armando, you guys got it going on.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/9/2015

    In town with our family of four from Tennessee seeking authentic Italian, Chicago style. This is the place. Like Goodfellas. So unassuming from the street you almost can't find it, but make sure you do. Seated fast, but food takes a while so alot enough time. A word of caution - the portions are HUGE, especially pasta dishes, so we wasted $$ since we couldn't keep leftovers in our hotel. The Pasta Lorenzo was absolutely WONDERFUL - everyone else at my table ate off my plate, it was the fave!

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/29/2015

    Get the House spaghetti!  Omg! So good. The service is great. The dishes are flavorful and it's not too expensive for downtown Chicago and some truly authentic itlalian. My wife ordered thr Shrimp Armani in a red sauce served on a bed of potatoes. So good!  I highly recommend if you're craving some Coma food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/1/2015

    Everything is amazing here especially the staff.  Armando and Joey are amazing.  I haven't been there in a little while.  I miss you, and hope business is doing well.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/21/2014

    As a recently departed Chicago resident I can only say I and my wife miss this place. Armando the owner is a great host, the food is awesome and yeah its busy! Know why? Cause the food , the charm and the whole ambience of a local downtown Italian restaurant is beyond awesome!!! From great grilled calamari openers to a fabulous Lake superior whitefish you cannot go wrong on the menu items. The wait staff is very accommodating nd the food arrives with pretty awesome precision given the fact the place is generally packed from 7 onwards.
    If I ever am lucky enough to call Chicago home again, we will rejoin the regulars at this superb downtown institution.
    Thank you for the memories 2010 to 2014 Armando and team !

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/4/2015

    Had the linguine with clams and white sauce.  Portion is great relative to the price of the dish.  There are several fresh, whole clams with many chopped up ones forming the base.  It's not garlicy, but definitely more buttery than I'm used to with what is traditionally a watery wine sauce.  In summary, I'd come back again.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/28/2014
    1 check-in

    Nice. Can't write anything substantial yet but I will come back to dine here again and write a complete review.

  • 3.0 star rating
    6/12/2015

    The ambiance is a bit old school and lack-luster, but the food is definitely authentic Italian.  I have some positives and some negatives to share.  We started with the shrimp Armani, which is absolutely to die for!  It may be one of my favorite dishes ever.  For the entree, Two of us had the veal chop.  They were accommodating and served it with sautéed spinach instead of the potatoes it was supposed to come with.  It was pounded super thin, was really tender, and had a great garlicky flavor, but it was extremely greasy.  It's supposed to be lightly breaded and pan fried in olive oil, but this thing was absolutely soaked in oil, and almost tasted deep fried.  I ended up scraping the breading off of mine and eating just the meat.  My other friend had the Pollo Alla Pasquinelli, an amazing chicken dish!  Very flavorful and delicious.  No complaints here.  We ended our meal with the tiramisu.  Again, authentic and delicious.  Now...when we were getting our check, the waiter told us that they don't split checks.  What is this 1989??  Every restaurant I've ever been to or worked at could separate checks.  And the best part is that the checks are hand-written and calculated with an adding machine.  It's not like he had to worry about a computer system or anything!  I mean, come on, just use 3 pieces of paper dude!  When we asked him to speak with the manger, he gave us attitude and told us there wasn't one.  Really?  We could see that the owner was sitting a few tables away.  Once we pointed that out, he was suddenly able to separate our checks.  Hmmm, interesting.  Anyway, the food was pretty great, but the service could use some improvement, hence the 3 stars.

  • 1.0 star rating
    3/17/2015
    1 check-in

    It was awful the pasta gnocchi was dreadful not authentic chewy and gummy. Not worth the effort!

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/4/2014

    I'm sad to hear that some yelpers had a not-so-pleasant experience at La Scarola. It is one of my favorite spots! Having dined there on multiple occasions and for years, the food has always been delicious! And growing up with a chef father, my family tends to be a bit critical when dining out.

    At La Scarola I will typically order a seafood dish from the daily specials menu. The Chilean Sea Bass has been a go-to for me whenever it is offered. My husband always prefers something a little spicy and has enjoyed the plentiful Pasta Lorenzo many times.  The antipasti was fresh and the grilled octopus is ALWAYS tender. Oh, and if you're up for it (and very hungry) try the veal scallopini!

    Don't skip dessert either - nothing polishes off an Italian meal like cappuccino and a cannoli :)

    La Scarola may not have the bells and whistles of a fancy-shmancy restaurant but the food and service keep me, my friends and my family coming back time and time again.

    Be sure to look at the old pictures on the walls, too. A night out to La Scarola isn't only a dining experience, it's like being a part of Chicago history. Yes, you may have to wait awkwardly for your table (even with a reservation) but that is becoming typical in Chicago no matter where you go. The difference here is that once you are seated you will feel very welcomed!

    Until next time...

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/8/2014
    1 check-in

    Pass on the salad (made with a slightly oily Italian dressing) & go straight for the pasta!! But definitely don't forget the grilled octopus appetizer.
    The capellini fra diavolo is delicious - not too spicy tomato sauce, giant shrimp, and a TON of pasta. The tiramisu is moist, not the lightest, but a great end note.
    Reservations are a must. Small space with huge flavor!

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/24/2015

    Service could've been a little better, but other then that, it was great!

    This is an authentic Italian restaurant! I don't think it has ever been updated, but that's what gives it character! It's very old school!

    The food was delicious! By far the best lasagna I've ever had!! We also had the calamari and minestrone soup which were also delish!

    This is out new spot for Italian food!

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/17/2015

    **This special place is one of my Favorite restaurants !  Every time I come to Chicago,  I bring my Daughter, who lives in the city...  Sitting in the cozy dining room, looking at my Daughter's beautiful face and feeling excited when I open the menu just fills my heart...  When my first glass of Chianti arrives it's pure happiness.... Every bite that goes into my mouth seems to be what Heaven must taste like :)  The owner, Armando, couldn't be nicer.  La Scarola is the highlight of every Chicago visit !  My Favorite Dish is the Veal Parmesan !  Keep up the Great work in that kitchen because I'll be there on Thursday, March 19th ...xoxo    ~ I love you and Thanks so much for the special feeling I get when I approach the door......

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/8/2013
    2 check-ins

    This may be my ONLY 5 star review ever.
    I fell in love here. Jerry Springer threw my wedding rehearsal dinner party here.
    Van Halen, The cast of "Lost in Space",
    Grandpa Munster, Brietbart, Chaz Palminteri, and my in-laws from Italy, have all feasted here with me. Every single person has loved it ! It's the best Itallian Resturant in North America!
    Period.

    Michael Bay left a Transformers robot head on the bar... It's STILL there. Ha!

    This ain't no Olive Garden lame.
    It isn't a  Spiaggia fancy overpriced ripoff joint. This is what Italians would make you if you visited their homes in the countryside in Italy and they loved you.

    Joey (the owner) was Sinatra's favorite cook. Now every goomba hack wannabe in Chicago claims they knew Mr. Sinatra- Joey REALLY did. And he's cooked for Pacino, Louis Prima, Deniro, Bill Murray, and and and and everybody.

    Joey's salad (and if he's not there don't bother) is the only salad I'll eat.

    Owner Joey Mondelli ? The real deal. A vanishing breed. A man of great character and a character.

    His partner Armando? Maybe the single most lovable person on Earth! His laugh is infectious! Ask him if it's his birthday (because Mancow said so) and see if he brings over a couple of shots of tequila. His laugh is the most infectiously odd chortle ever. What a special guy.

    "The Shrimp Armani" may be the single greatest dish at any Resturant in Chicago.

    "The Polo ala Mancow" is my combo dish featuring all the ingredients I love from their pantry. Warning: it packs a Wallop!

    Friday or Saturday nights you probably won't get in. I've seen people show up and get angry about that. Small + popular + great = PACKED. Duh!  Make a reservation but don't show up and be angry if they can't immediately seat you.

    The place is noisy and fun like a big Itallian family gathering. Sorry hipsters if you are too cool to LIVE. Go pose elsewhere.

    All those other fancy restaurants? This is where Chefs Grant Achatz ,Trotter, Bayless, Tramanto, and all the other greats come to chow down when they get a rare night off.

    I could go on endlessly.

    Advice?
    Show up and say hello to Joey or Armando. Ask for them. They LOVE people. (How many of us really honestly love people?) These guys will be new friends. "Hey, I don't want any new friends" is an attitude I sadly understand. I've told many people to "MAKE SURE YOU SAY 'HI' TO JOEY OR ARMANDO"and they don't. Why? Shy. Awkward. Chicken. It boggles my mind why anyone would miss out on the free treasure that is found by being around these exceptional individuals. God was working overtime when he created their souls.

    Sit and breath it all in.
    My Heaven will be like this.

    Rub elbows with Ken Nordine, Walter Jacobson, Artie from Jam, Billy Dec, Chef Bannos, John Wayne Gacys lawyer Karen Conti, media critic Robert Feder, Tommy Lasorda, Fox anchor woman Robin Robinson, and many other Chicagoans of note while there. This is all in one night!

    It's  the Raos or Toots Shor's of Chicago.

    The prices are silly. How do they stay open? It's because their costumers are their family. A labor of love. Can you imagine that in this era?  It is almost unfathomable really.

    The deserts ? Cannoli and tiramisu outstanding. The rest you can skip.

    If you are going for the first time I admire you. What I wouldn't give to experience La Scarola for the first time again. It'd be like seeing "Die Hard" or making love to my virginal wife for the first time again. Beautiful. You can't get first back again so heed my advice and start by introducing yourself to Joey or Armando and then....
    fall in love like you've never done before with any other Resturant. Welcome to your new favorite.

    Those of us that love this place just nod knowingly to each-other when it's name is uttered.  La Scarola. Uh huh.

    Many would wish me to keep this gem our little secret and away from you. But  I figure you probably won't get in anyway. Ha!!!

    Meraviglioso !

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/20/2012
    2 check-ins

    The day before I was to fly home to CT for the holidays, I made a 8:30 dinner reservation for 2 at La Scarola.  The forecast for the city, after two days in a low cloud, was for snow.  It was the second darkest day of the year- the night before the end of the Mayan calendar.  My girlfriend let me take her out for what I'd heard from my friend Jeff the drummer and his wife Lucia to be great Italian.  The restaurant is old school and comforting and was full of big tables and lively talk.  The food was balanced, cooked perfectly, satisfying and delicious- Jeff recommended the great chicken vesuvio.

    As a fine dining server, I get pretty stressed out about making sure I've covered all the small details.  I'm on top of everything from the table being crumbed and marked for the next course to water topped off.  After dinner at La Scarola I found myself finishing my glass of water and thinking how La Scarola's service is less frenetic in the best possible way.  I was able to enjoy the appetizers after the entrees had arrived, to actually drink a whole glass of water, to relax and digest the meal.  And then a busser filled up my water.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/23/2015

    My fav Italian place in Chicago!  Great atmosphere, great service and amazing food.  Feels like a family gathering!   Owner Armando is a wonderful host!  Don't miss this spot when visiting Chicago!

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/28/2014

    The best Italian spot in Chicago.

    Any time we have friends in town we always bring them to this place for a good dinner.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/23/2014

    A terrific example of an traditional Italian restaurant, with generous portions of rich food.   The night I went with a group, the place was packed, which actually added to the ambience and created a sense of suspense.  The prices were reasonable so you could add some beers or glasses of wine without seeing the tab go out of control.  Even with the crowd, the service was attentive and the food came out quickly and was perfectly prepared.  The place is loud, which only goes to prove that the place and food are energizing.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/18/2014

    I've been here three times so far and I have loved the food every time. The food is as close to authentic home-cooked Italian as you will find in Chicago. I can personally vouch for the Chicken Vesuvio. It's excellent.

    The waitstaff are always pleasent and the owner himself has actually come and greeted us at the table and made sure we were enjoying ourselves.

    The restaurant does have very limited space though. And it can get pretty crowded and loud. I tend to like quiet places but I cannot deduct any points for this as it is really just a matter of personal preference. Many people come here for the liveliness and ambiance. And for me it's a small price to pay for having food I know will be top of the line.

  • 1.0 star rating
    10/5/2014

    Last month some friends came into town from Winfield, Il. We called La Scarola to make reservations after getting amazing reviews from a neighbor in our building. When I called it was about 3:30pm, they said they didn't have anymore reservations. I asked if we just walked in, was there a big wait time & if we could still be taken care of.. The person on the phone said that there was not wait time and we would be able to just walk in..
    After picking up out friends at the train station, we headed to La Scarola, by this time it was 4pm. After parking and paying $6 for the meter, we walked in and we were received by a lineup of waiters. We thought, "this is great", well that greatness shortly turned into a sour experience. When we said we needed a table for 4 they asked if we had reservations, we said no & went on to explain the situation over the phone. The
    Place probably had 75% of the place empty. This short Hispanic individual fast approached us and asked the same thing the waiters did. My husband also being short & hispanic( didn't mean to sound racist as I too am Hispanic) tried to explain to him the situation and this guy said he could not take us and slapped my husband very hard on the shoulder! Just because we are Hispanic doesn't mean you can automatically treat me like your "boy".. We do not know you and we are consumers trying to get service!! This guy apparently who I spoke to initially on the phone went to slap my husband again for the second time! My husband had to tell him "please do not touch me again!"
    As we were shood out of the door as we were pieces of hoodlums..
    The food might be greatly reviewed, but do to this very upsetting incident and my husband getting whacked 2 times in the shoulder, we will never step foot in this establishment!!!
    We went to Mart Anthony's on Hubbard where the owner graciously greeted us and we had an amazing dinner with great service!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/18/2013

    WOW, what an interesting place.

    Went here with a group and a baby...probably not the best place.  It was JAMMED on a Sunday night.  I mean, it was like sardines in there.  We had a reservation but ended up waiting like 20-30 minutes to be seated.

    There's old pictures up all over the place of famous people, etc.  The restaurant definitely has an old vibe to it.  Even a little bit of a dirty vibe, but cute.  We wanted an old school place.  Originally we were going to go to Club Lago, but its not open on Sundays.

    The menu is extensive.  Its a little disappointing because they dont make any of their pastas.  I know, I am a snob.  The mussels in the white sauce were fantastic.  I love dipping the bread in the sauce...Mmmmmm!  I had this risotto seafood special and it was delicious...but GARLIC-y!  Also the spaghetti and meatballs is delish.  The meatballs have a lot of flavor.

    HUGE portions.  Be prepared for your carb fix and then some.
    The specials are handwritten!  HA!  
    The price point of this place is definitely right.  It is cheap as hell.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/21/2014

    There are 2 things in life that make me unbelievably happy 1. Good authentic food and 2. Big Huge portions of good authentic food!
    Portions are large enough to have lunch ready for the following day (and pricing is totally reasonable!). Yeah, the tables are tight but who cares ... Everyone is family here!  The owner is constantly making his rounds around, cracking jokes and truly making everyone feel like they're at home.  Service has always been spectacular (dined in at least 10times since June).
    Everything I've ever tasted is ahh-mazing but some of my favorites include the grilled calamari, pasta Lorenzo (I order with vodka sauce) and the salmon risotto!  Damn, now I'm craving all of it just writing this!

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/17/2014
    1 check-in

    Very busy restaurant but way worth it, the appetizers grilled octopus and shrimp armani was great. Surf and turf delicious.  Need to come and try the much talked about other dishes!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Daniel Y. said "Yes, you can get good BBQ at a pizza place. Who would have thunk it? The wait staff and owner are incredibly nice and were…" read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    2/18/2015

    Lets start with the owner. He personally came up to me out of the blue and introduced himself and went over the menu! That is cool! Next, the important part; the food. I went there at least 7 times and tried different dishes each time and I have yet said this is bad. The seafood is marinated so deliciously and is very fresh. The steak Vesuvio is ridiculously delicious. The place is clean. The staff is alert and ready to serve. whether you go here solo, date, or special occasion you cannot go wrong! I know it sounds like I work here or something but I don't. I just love food! SOOOO GOOD! One bad part is there is 1 bathroom for the men and women. Very small bathroom. But hey the food... the food is number 1. Prices is good too. Parking stinks but valet is available. RSVP is recommended.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/30/2014

    Love this place! Probably one of the restaurants my wife and I miss most since we left Chicago.  As authentic Italian as you could want.  Its an "experience" everytime.

    Thanks for the Tequila shots!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/13/2015

    This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago by far! I've been there a handful of times now and it never disappoints. It is always full so call and make a reservation first. You can't book online. Anything with their vodka tomato sauce is amazing.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/27/2014
    1 check-in
    Listed in Fancy Pants

    Nice place for a mid fancy dining experience. I got the special gnocci and minestrone and peppers and sausage and antipasto. BOOM! walked in on a sunday off the street wearing raggedy clothes and stinking like my couch, they said, "Wait on this weird park bench that is strangely located in the hallway." Ok, can I sit  with my head somewhat touching the fake ivy?

    "Yes."

    So i waited till they got me a table, it was worth it. Interesting story about this place, some mobster nicknamed the clown broke out of jail and came here for the veal. If I liked veal I would try it. But that stuff is mean. I have children.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/10/2015

    This is my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago, an absolute gem. The owners Armando and Joe make a point to connect with their customers, the servers have been there for years. Walking into La Scarola is like being around the extended family you always wanted with the food you only dreamed of. It is always a treat coming here- the seafood is truly something special, the mussels are enormous, the penne alla vodka (with shrimp) is perfection, their sea bass is so fresh!

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/3/2015

    So good. So busy. So exciting!  I would not recommend bringing your timid or quiet friends to La Scarola.  

    The food is delicious, the service was very good (we got free shots and drinks - came to find out so does everyone else who waits!) and the atmosphere is very energetic.  

    Everyone is so friendly and the food was amazing - we will be back!  Great place to go with a small group of friends!

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/2/2014

    My husband and I have been wanting to try La Scarola for over two years now; tonight we finally made reservations and we were not disappointed - well worth the two year wait!!! Since we live near by this will be a must visit for all our friends and family when they come see us in Chicago!

    The grilled calamari is DELICIOUS...and I think very reasonably priced for the portion. I had the penne alla vodka...can't decide if the shrimp or the sauce made the dish so good!!!

    My husband had the gnocchi special with the Italian sausage - I've never tasted anything like it before! Must order if it's still a special item!

    I'm not sure if it was the manager or the owner but a gentleman kept stopping by to make sure we were doing okay and even went as far to write me a note shortly after our food arrived (I was texting at the dinner table) to let me know my food was getting cold :-) my husband thought that was hilarious!

    Thanks to the La Scarola staff for such a great experience!

    Like I mentioned before...we will definitely be back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/18/2014
    1 check-in

    Food was great. The risotto is a must-have and I could have made a dinner just out of that but my friend and I split it.  The Chilean sea bass was a special for the night and it was tasty and so so good, and had spinach and artichokes on the side. I only wish they had more wine by the glass; they had other wine but by the bottle only.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/22/2015

    La Scarola is a true gem in a city cluttered with higher end Italian restaurants . The ambiance is loud, cramped, and casual. No space is wasted, both in terms of tables in the small three rooms and with the celebrity pictures on the walls. A meal here becomes a memorable experience the moment you walk in the door. In true Italian fashion, a 7:30 reservation really means 8. The food is well worth the wait. It is difficult to chose just one thing on this menu because it all looked so good. Starting with one of their great bottles of wine makes the decision process easier. The Italian waiters were superb. They knew when to leave the table and when to interject, offering their recommendations when asked. They are known for their Pasta Fagioli Soup, which is almost a meal in itself. I had the Minestrone soup to start and  the Vodka Penne for my main course. Both Were great. Portions were generous and the pasta was delicious. Be sure to save room for deserts because their cappuccino and cannoli doesn't disappoint . I will definitely be back soon.

  • 1.0 star rating
    10/12/2014

    This isn't a review about their food, just their service.

    My cousin was turning 21 and we wanted to throw her a surprise dinner. I have coworkers that have told me AMAZING things about this place, so we decided to have it here.

    It was a nightmare from the beginning. We kept getting the run around for just inquiring about if they could accommodate 30 people. They gave us a number to keep in contact ( this could have been an honest mistake, unsure) and wouldn't give us a clear answer. Finally, they say they'll give us the back room, or a portion of it. So the night is upon us, I pull up with my girlfriend and we see a group of 25 kids outside. It was a few minutes past our reservation time, so we thought they were cleaning/setting up. We find out that they won't seat for nearly another hour...well past our reservation time, and after the birthday girl is supposed to show up for her surprise. We walked in to explain what was going on and there was shorter male, gray hair, that walked up to us and asked us what was going on. Unapologetically, just said, it didn't matter when our reservation was, and that it will take that long. Completely dismissive of us.

    I get that things happen, this was just unprofessional, curt, and completely apathetic to our situation.

    In the time it would have taken to get seated at LA scarola, we found a new place, drove there, and were seated.

    Service at its absolute worst at this place. It's a shame they have that guy working, he seems to be the cause for a fair amount of bad reviews.

    Greek Islands, was the restaurant that saved the night for us.

  • 1.0 star rating
    2/8/2015
    2 check-ins

    I ate here approximately 2 months ago and was with two of my girlfriends.  I made a reservation and one of my friends ran into traffic and we asked if we could be seated so we can order some drinks and appetizers and they rudely told us that we couldn't because they would only seat tables that had everyone present.  Well, last Thursday, my friend always wanted to try LaScarola because I raved about the food.  So I made a reservation for 11 and informed my friends that everyone had to be on time because the last time, they would not seat us until our entire party was there.  So...needless to my surprise, a few of my friends arrived early and they seated them immediately.  Once I arrived, I saw my friends being moved to a smaller table and this table was way back in the corner right by an exit door that was cracked open and there was a awful smell of cigars and cigarettes seeping into the restaurant.  I was irritated.  I looked at this table and noticed there weren't enough chairs for our party and when I questioned it, a man whom I will assume is the manager came over and told me that I made a reservation for 7 people.  I explained to him that I made that reservation over a month ago and called to change it to 11 and the person I spoke with confirmed it.  Then he says in a rude tone, "You wanna see the book?" as if to call me a liar.  I've never been so insulted in my life.  So instead of correcting this and giving us a bigger table, he squeezed in a few more chairs.  I looked over at the table that was once ours and thought, hmmm....maybe those patrons are more important and receive better service.  What a joke.  The only positive thing I can say is that Victor, our server was polite and professional.  He even gave my friend Wendy K. (who I noticed wrote her own review)a new entree because the cheese ravioli looked unappealing to the palette.  Well, needless to say, that time was the last visit to LaScarola.  I have been treated like crap the past two visits.  I will NEVER recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for good Italian food.  There are plenty of restaurants in the city that treat their patrons well and have good food.  I doubt my review will hurt their business but if you aren't the who's who in their books, you might not be given the respect you deserve.

  • 3.0 star rating
    12/20/2014

    Food was good and the restaurant certainly has a cool old feel. While the food was good, the restaurant came highly recommended and so we had high expectations. But at the end of the meal everyone in our group thought it was just average. Plus it was expensive for what it was, pasta and house wine.

    Portions are huge, so if you can share with someone, do it! Will help cut down on the high price!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/18/2014

    Visited La Scarola for the first time on Sunday to celebrate a friend's birthday. All I can say is that I will be back. Excellent service, awesome food, definitely a popular spot for families and couples. One group was a bit loud for my friend but the waiter graciously and quickly found us another table which made the bday girl very happy. I was very happy to have leftovers on Monday.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/13/2014

    Excellent Italian place in the city. It's literally a hidden gem - pun intended ;) As soon as you enter, you'll find two walls full of celebrity photos - guess what, those are all the folks that come here.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/6/2013

    First of all, I go a maxim in life : "if Al Pacino Goes somewhere when he is in town then how bad could it be "?

    I dont think I am shallow but that was my motivation for coming here a few months ago.

    I had the salmon dish. It made the salmon creamy and juicy.

    People from all over Chicago eat here. It's an ambiance thing. You will figure it out when you come here with a few friends, have some good conversations with some wine.

    The service was great

  • 3.0 star rating
    4/24/2014
    1 check-in

    The chicken vesuvio on the bone is NOT cooked to order. Beware. The chicken was dry. I would expected much more from this place.

    The pastas are very good and the flavora are excellent.

    But don't assume anything. Be explicit with your expectations.

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/31/2014

    One of my favorite places for Italian in Chicago. I always get the pasta with shrimp and asparagus, which has never disappointed. Also, the baked clams as an appetizer are a must. It gets loud and crowded, so that might be an issue if that bothers you, but the food is really worth it.
    (Reposting this review from earlier as I just realized I have two accounts, unifying on one.)

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/15/2013

    If you're looking for an upscale, artsy dinner - go to piccolo sogno. If you're looking to have dinner with uncle vinny and the gang, come here!

    Originally, he and I were going to Quartino. However, the wait was 40-45 minutes long and I was on the verge of throwing a hunger fit. We decided on La Scarola, considering we live 10 min south of it. Armando, the manager, was a party in a glass!

    We waited for about 20 minutes, but we didn't mind after Armando demanded we take shots of tequila with him. Twice! 1942 Don Julio? I can't complain. He gave us a great seat, and our server immediately greeted us. We ordered the grilled calamari, ricotta eggplant, Sinatra penne, tiramisu, espresso, and we drank merlot and and old fashioned. The calamari was amazing - perfectly crispy, not oily, and great pairing with the marinara sauce. The Sinatra Penne was a seafood penne; its sauce was velvety and packed with flavor. I believe it was white wine based. The food and service was top notch. Although I care for great food, I am also keen on great service. Thank you La Scarola family!

    I spilled my glass, the clutz I am; two waiters ran to me to make sure I didn't lift a finger. Talk about hospitality, right?

    I will be coming back here with a group of friends next time.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/18/2014
    1 check-in

    Great Italian...I know italian!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/1/2014

    Went to La Scarola on a Friday night for 830pm reservation.

    This place was packed! Didn't get to sit until 9. The owner was very apologetic and provided free appetizers.

    The owner is part of the experience. He walks around greets the customers, cracks jokes. Interesting character

    Food was excellent. Had 2 specials - tuna amore and pasta amore

    Will be back

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/8/2014

    Food is awesome to die for the only thing i guess i did not like was that it was very loud in there but the food makes up for it i will defiantly be going back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/22/2014

    It was everything and more than what I expected. Authentic Italian food...yum! The staff was great. The feel and look of the little place was warm and delightful. I had the shells with shrimp and scallops sauteed in Alfredo sauce, it was fantastic. Huge portions. Definitely could have shared. My date had the Filet Mignon with potatoes and that was huge too and tasty. I am looking forward to returning to try more of their dishes that were listed on the hand written menu!

  • 2.0 star rating
    12/24/2013

    I've been going here for almost ten years now and all the lousy things I mention in this review have happened before. Just never all at the same time. The point I am trying to make is that when you go to La Scarola, the basic attitude of the staff and, presumably, the management, is that, unless you are a celebrity whose picture can go on their wall, they are doing you a favor just to let you sit at a table. If you go in expecting something else, you will be disappointed. The food, while not authentic to any Italian region, is very good. And it's reasonably priced. I'm not exactly sure, but I think that's what keeps people coming back for the abuse. The food is why I gave it two stars instead of one.

    Now, last night I went in there quite prepared for rude waiters, a very long wait well past my reservation time, cramped waiting space in a narrow corridor by the poorly located bar, an inscrutable and untrustworthy bill, etc. But this time I just didn't enjoy all that as much as I have in the past. Either I've lost my sense of adventure, or the gig has gotten tired, or things were even worse last night than usual.

    We had a reservation for 9 people for 7:15.  What's the point of making a reservation if you then have to wait, standing  being jostled in the hallway between the mens' room and the bar, for 45 minutes? To his credit, the manager noticed at some point that I was not looking happy and gave me a free shot of scotch. At this point, things were actually fine with me. I was unhappy not because of the restaurant, but because of some skating injuries; but I didn't turn down the drink. I'm not sure if what happened next was related to my free drink, but there erupted an argument between the bartender and the manager. The bartender seemed to say very little, the manager kept telling him not to play games with him, then the bartender took off his apron, changed his clothes and left the restaurant. Bizarre.

    At any rate, back to the things that make sense here. Eventually we were seated, which you think would have been a relief but that's when it got bad. We were not waited on for maybe ten minutes. All night long we were pretty much left alone like that. The waiter came, took our wine order. Said he couldn't find the wine we wanted and offered us a substitute. It was a mediocre Sicilian, which didn't excite anyone--Cusumano Nero D'Avola. We switched to a Chianti of his choice. This wine did not come for almost 20 minutes and then it was thin and acidic.  I don't know what it cost. Our orders were taken way too late. We had two children at the table and most decent restaurants would notice that and do something to make them happy in the event of a long wait. Nothing here.

    Appetizers: we ordered one of each calamari -- grilled and breaded -- we got two breaded. We sent one back with the runner but the replacement never came. When I checked with the waiter around the time main courses came, he said he had not been told of the mix-up and promised it would not be on the bill. I ordered an asparagus salad. Never saw it.

    The food was fine. My portobello gnocchi was five-star; most people liked their food, except for the spaghetti and meat ball folks, which included the kids.

    When the bill came, it was not possible to tell what we had (and had not) been charged for. It was an old adding machine printout attached to an illegible hand-written check. Not all items were added in individually--some must have been combined. My father in law paid for it and he's a gentleman so didn't want to argue about a few ten-spots. But it's not unreasonable to make it possible for people to check the bill after so much confusion. .

    I dare anyone to say that most of this stuff isn't par for the course at La Scarola. Maybe it's time for me to stop going there since, for the time being, the restaurant seems to work well-enough with this system. Or maybe it's time for La Scarola to take a really good look in the mirror. My feeling last night was that the staff were out of control and lost in the fantasy that this place is better than its customers. If there is a God in the restaurant business, this can't go on forever.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/3/2013

    This place is fabulous, always packed, has a great buzz, very god food, excellent waitstaff, the owner Armando, is a real treasure, out on the floor greeting guests as family and making sure they are taken care of as such.

    The place has so much character, from the celebrity photos that take up every inch of wall space, to pictures of Armando's friends and family peering out of windows from hand painted murals on the wall, its classic retro style makes it as "hot and contemporary" as any of these manufactured "theme" restaurants the restaurant groups throw up all over town.

    You will come as a guest and leave as a friend and enjoy good hearty fare along the way.

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/8/2013
    2 check-ins
    Listed in Yelp 100 2013

    When you walk into La Scarola, you feel like you've walked back in time. You can mentally picture Sinatra & Dean Martin dining there. Celebrity photos line the walls - I saw a signed photo of Bette Davis on my last visit. It's old school Italian at its finest - attentive waiters in starched white shirts and handwritten specials inserted in the menu.

    I was waiting with my daughter in the winter vestibule as several couples were exiting on our last visit. The maître d' asked how everything was & each group either used amazing religious or sexual experiences as their basis for comparison! Seriously, not kidding!

    I've ordered the same thing twice now because it was so good I couldn't help myself - Vitella di Franco which is veal scallopini, asparagus, garlic, tomatoes, arugula and provolone, served with a side of risotto. I've heard Martha Stewart tout the virtues of risotto for years and never understood what it could be until I tasted La Scarola's. Creamy, melt in your mouth delightfulness is what it is! The veal can be easily cut with a fork and is seasoned to perfection.

    My daughter ordered one of their hand written specials of cheese stuffed meatballs. Flavorful, gooey and delish!

    Portion sizes are enormous and when you ask them to box what you can't possibly eat in one sitting, don't be surprised if your waiter asks with deep concern if everything was ok just to make sure you liked what you had and only left the remainder because you were worried you'd explode.

    Is it the best Italian food ever? Not quite but it's darned close! If I could give it another half star, I would.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/14/2014 Updated review

    This is our second visit to La Scarola
    This time it was a party of 4 with an infant.
    Wait staff: attentive, courteous
    timeliness: Prompt
    Food: As before, fantastic.
    Its easy to miss this restaurant if you don't know what you are looking for, but its worth the time to find it.

    You gotta try this place!

    5.0 star rating
    11/21/2012 Previous review
    We went to La Scarola on Valentines day, 2012.
    We have been talking it up ever since.
    It was…
    Read more
  • 1.0 star rating
    2/5/2015

    We went to La Scarola tonight for my friend's birthday. There was some confusion with our reservation. We had reservations for 11 people, but somehow ended up being shown to a table for 6. When we brought it to the attention of the staff, we were rudely told that we didn't make the reservation for 11, and told "well I will show you the book". We did, in fact, make the reservation for 11 people. As for the food, I've had better. Some of my friends' entrees were ok.  I had the cheese ravioli alla Forno. It had absolutely no flavor. The only good thing about this restaurant was our server, Victor. He was very polite and attentive, and he did everything he could to make our evening enjoyable. Victor gets 5 stars.  The restaurant only gets 1 star.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/7/2014

    I went to La Scarola on a busy Saturday night with 3 friends.  They sat us right on time (WOW), service was excellent and dinner was outstanding.   Even my drink (G&T) was perfect.  The meat lasagna was perfection.   La Scarola is my new "go to" place. (Suggestion:  make a reservation for busy weekend nights.)

  • 2.0 star rating
    10/5/2014

    I been to this place twice and the service was good the first time.  Most recently, I went there with a group of friends from out of town for some pasta.  Our server was "Jack". He kept pushing us to buy more wine, appetizer, etc. He took over 35-40 to bring our meals.  When the check came, I gave Jack 10% tip.  When he saw the tip, he made it known very loud that he wanted more tip. He wanted 15% tip for his service.  I found this behavior very rude and obnoxious.

    Don't bother reserving a table at this place, you will wait like everyone else.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/19/2014
    1 check-in

    Armando is one of the best owner/hosts in the biz. His personality transmits to the food.  Everything on the menu is tasty. I personally get the sea bass. Not many places make a good sea bass dish.  Had the mushroom sausage appetizer as well as the eggplant.  Both very good. Could of ate the mushroom one myself. Only 4 pieces.  Great place to take ur significant other out on date nights and double dates.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/30/2014

    La Scarola is amazing - been here several times since we moved to Chicago, going there again this weekend and very much looking forward to it.   The linguine with clams, penne alla vodka (with shrimp) and the chilean sea bass are some of the best I've had at any Italian restaurant anywhere.  The restaurant itself is pretty cool, has a nice authentic Italian feel to it, very tightly packed tables, boisterous/lively atmosphere, pictures of famous people all over the wall that are cool to look at.  The host Armando is awesome, always seems to remember everyone's face without ever needing to check his reservation schedule.  Most times we have been there the place has been jammed and we had to wait a little bit past our reservation time - but do not fear, plenty of great options to grab a drink nearby (The Dawson) and there is also a small bar in the back of the restaurant!

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/27/2013
    1 check-in

    Every time I go to this place, I make a note to check behind the toilet for a gun taped to it.  Yes- it has a Godfather feel to it, and I love it!  If you have a chance, make a stop by this place.  It is always PACKED, so make sure you call ahead or have time to kill at their teeny tiny bar.  

    You walk though the door and you are literally hit in the face with the smell of garlic, the loud noise level of the well-wined clientele, and look at the walls covered with celebrity photos and praise of this place.  You look to the corner table and expect to see "Bugs" Moran and his cronies working up a deal- I love it.

    The food is always tasty, piping hot, and the service is incredible (considering the packed house).  Their specials are usually quite special, and their standby offerings do a justice to this place.  Make sure to ask your waiter what to order- and chances are it will be more authentic and tasty than whatever generic you wanted.

    You will be Lucky (Luciano) to eat at this place!

    *All forms of attire expected- casual to pinstripe suits.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/27/2014

    I took my boyfriend here after he passed his NCLEX exam. A good friend of mine recommended this place so I immediately looked it up and made reservations.

    When we first went in, we were sent to the back to the bar to wait. It was a little frustrating waiting for 30 minutes when we had reservations, but nothing worth complaining too much about. When we were seated, we were seated up at the front of the restaurant right by the door that kept opening. Due to the extremely cold weather it kind of put a damper on the visit because I was freezing.

    The food definitely made up for the less than perfect prelude. We started off with 2 appetizers and each chose a chicken dish. The chicken vesuvio was amazing and I could've eaten my body weight in potatos.

    I will definitely return in hopes of a slightly better experience...but nonetheless, the food is on point and reasonably priced.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/6/2014
    1 check-in

    Really Italian experience, with wonderful food, fair prices and kind service. We tasted the Pasta Faglioli, Vesuvio Pasta (with chicken and mushroom) and an special penne with sausage and spicy sauce. Everything is so tasteful. You can enjoy some Italian wine, too!

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/26/2014

    By far the best italian food in the world. Literally. Always very fresh n service is down right ahhhmazing!!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/19/2013

    Coming from an Italian background I've obviously come to expect big things when it comes to my native cuisine. Eating Italian isn't just about the pasta sauce being not too watery ot too dry, or the pasta being over or under cooked, or even having the perfect matches of cheese, wine and enough of all of the above to go around the table 4-5 times..... (pause for Sunday dinner nostalgia)... Italian cuisine is all about la famiglia. Dining together, sharing a laugh, being loud and slurping your spaghetti without worry that the person across the table form you is going to judge you!

    During my visit to La Scarola while in Chicago I I felt like i was eating with my loud Italian family....everyone sitting close together, drinking eating laughing loudly, sharing food and wine. It's like a proper Sunday dinner, except every day of the week!

    Armando the owner is amazing!! I introduced myself and mentioned I was from Canada and he stopped in his tracks and thanked me whole heartedly for coming to dine at his restaurant and then proceeded to ply my guest and I with shots of tequila all night....I LOVE THIS MAN AND THIS PLACE. Seriously, every time we though we were done, a waiter would drop off another complimentary silver tequila shot for each of us!

    I ordered spaghetti and meatballs because I had a hankering and I believe you can tell the quality of an Italian restaurant by evaluating this classic dish. Here are my thoughts:

    Tomato Sauce = BAWSE 5 STAR
    Pasta =  Cooked to a perfect al dente 5 star
    Meat balls = 3 hard balls sized monsters... perfectly seasoned
    Portion Size = H.U.G.E!

    Friendly servers...and ATTENTIVE!! Wow! A dirty dish or shot glass never sat on the table for 2 minutes before being whisked away. Not to mention the faster i drank my water the faster it was refilled...i never got below the 3/4 full mark.

    Wonderful experience, wonderful food, wonderful host. Can't wait to come back!

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/30/2014

    While in  Chicago for a conference, I yelped Italian restaurants as I really wanted to get out of the touristy area and eat some really good food.  This is definitely one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever eaten at.  The food is good ole home cooked Italian.  Not only was the food delicious, but it reminded me of the old charm neighborhood restaurants use to have- where it wasn't only about good food, but also  that you were enjoying yourself.  The owner , the bartender, the wait staff were all ensuring that everyone was having a lovely experience.

    I ordered the chicken vesuvio, but had it made with shrimp instead of chicken.  It was such a good dish with loads of garlic.

    It's so rare to find this kind of hospitality and great food in one restaurant.  La Scarola has the true spirit of what a restaurant should be-it felt like I had been there before.  I told the owner that we needed him and his restaurant in Los Angeles and he said we're too healthy there-shared a good laugh. Btw-how often does an owner come and chat with their guests-so delightful. I can't wait to come back to Chicago and eat here again!

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/14/2014
    1 check-in

    An Italian family eating at an Italian restaurant...we're either going to love it or its going to end in a movie like sequence where my grandmother faints in disgust or my aunt spills a bottle of wine on me. Luckily for the people sitting behind my grandmother, and for my clothes, my family LOVES La Scarola.

    Navigating the crooked streets inside La Scarola gives the basement, homelike, traditional feeling that you would feel at family's. You sit down to your menu with handwritten specials and you need to use your toes to count and keep track of how many things you are considering ordering. Portions are big as they usually are at a ristorante.

    Your must order at La Scarola: Grilled Calamari. So flavorful, so tender, and such a good change of pace from the usual fried calamari. If you are in a group, order a few, they will go fast. Must like garlic, must like lemon.  

    Entree wise, you can't really go wrong. I usually get one of the chicken dishes or specials. Some of the dishes come with a side of risotto which is just filler to me so make sure you ask and get everything you want because it is going to be worth it.

    Counting down the days until the next family member's birthday which will lead us to La Scarola!

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/16/2013
    1 check-in

    I went here with some business associates for dinner and it is fantastic!  Starting with the appetizers, I was impressed right off the bat.  Everything  we ordered was outstanding.  Living in St. Louis, and having the great restaurants on The Hill to compare to, I was certainly impressed from the start.  I ordered the Veal Chop and it was absolutely amazing.  My dinner companions also raved about their Entrees.

    The service was outstanding here and the servers were also very knowledgeable about the dishes and their preparation.

    Pay attention to the "Specials" your server will tell you about.  They are special for a reason and not to be ignored.

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/15/2014

    The food was good and the owner, Armando, was a fantastic host. Two things cost the restaurant stars. First, we were seated 30 minutes late for an already late reservation. Second, we waited an hour for our entrees. I might be willing to give this place another try and revise my review at a later date, but I'm in no rush.

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Daniel Y. said "Yes, you can get good BBQ at a pizza place. Who would have thunk it? The wait staff and owner are incredibly nice and were…" read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    8/29/2014

    This is not only the best Italian food I've ever had, it's quite possibly the best FOOD I've ever had! The Veal chop ala Gabe was so delicious.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/29/2013

    $14 for the best farfalle & meatballs I've had in Chicago?  Yes sir!  The portion size was heaping, the service was almost too attentive (weird, but with everyone speaking Italian, you half expect to have Italian service, i.e. "here's the menu...I'll see you in an hour"), and the look/feel of the space was definitely the big winner.  You feel like a local in this place, right down to the manager who came by to thank us for coming and then asked "where are you guys from?" because apparently visitors to La Scarola come in two flavors--lifelong regulars, and guests of the lifelong regulars!  Did I mention that as a thanks for coming, for no reason at all, the manager did a cognac shot with us after dinner?  As I told him, "I will be back"

  • 3.0 star rating
    7/10/2014

    I'd been looking forward to this restaurant as it's one of the classic Italian restaurants in Chicago. I went with three other people.  They all got pasta fishes which they said were great. I got the eggplant parmesan, which was okay.  It was  served with a side of very-cooked pasta and really bland red sauce.  Our table was absolutely stuffed into the room and right near a doorway meaning we kept getting bumped.  The guy in our party said the men's room was disgusting.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/14/2014

    Absolutely wonderful food! Cozy environment, friendly staff, family-owned gem!! Prices are a little high, but I feel that it's worth it. I had the Gambi something (shrimp over risotto with asparagus and zucchini)... The owner was really gracious. Great experience!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/25/2013

    OK, now that I have been here more than a few times, on a date as a two some, on a double date and now on a triple date, so 6 of us, I fee I can give an honest report that you cannot beat this place for Italian in the city of Chicago.  I have been there where I felt I needed a little more room, but the food made it all worth it.  

    The service has always been good!  The guy at the bar does a tremendous job balancing the act of all the waiters and all the patrons waiting for their tables, it must be stressful at times, but a superb job of this guy to keep everyone happy and the traffic moving through.

    As I had mentioned, I have been here on a date, a double date and now a triple date.  You would think based on the number of people in the party that some dish would not be brought out on time or something would be messed up, but I have not seen it.  I have historically gotten the veal dish and have loved them all, my now wife has always gone with a pasta dish of some sort and she has never been disappointed.  

    A + for La Scarola!  I highly recommend reservations since if you were to come to this place during normal dinner hours, I would assume a long wait time and you will probably leave unhappy and unfulfilled.  

    I am going to try this place now on takeout, and have my fingers crossed.  This place may be a little farther than some other Italian places I can get catered food from, but just looking at a handful, their prices are better than the places closer to home, so on that note, for what I believe to be the best Italian, I would also like to spread the love to those who have never had La Scarola and hope they enjoy it as much as I do...

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/24/2015

    This place never fails to deliver. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and a real sense of history. Italian at it's finest.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/24/2014

    From the moment you walk in till the time you leave the service is GREAT & and the food is AMAZING!! Italian food at it's finest.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/19/2014 Updated review

    Hands down the best classic Italian food in the city. There are so many things this place does right.  The vodka sauce is the best I've ever had in my life.

    Pasta is made fresh and the menu has nice selections of antipastas, seafoods, homemade pastas, breads, wines, etc...everything you would expect from a place of this caliber.

    If you want good, classic, well made local Italian food this is the place.  Forget about the glam and glitz of River North and other modern Italian spots.  This is old school good.  The way Italian food was meant to be.

    5.0 star rating
    3/29/2011 Previous review
    Total hidden gem.  Wonderful Italian food.  Old school.  This place gets it done.  You can tell it's… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    10/1/2012
    Listed in Italian in Chicago

    The Chilean sea bass and veal were amazing...as was the grilled calamari and octopus. La Scarola offers a classic Italian menu. You won't find anything unusual, but they take the traditional and do it well.

    La Scarola is a hole in the wall. No fancy decor, furniture or lighting. Instead, there's checkered table cloths, rickety old chairs, a cramped, awkward layout, and walls adorned with photos of famous people.

    Service was courteous and friendly. Good wine and overall good experience.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/3/2015
    1 check-in

    Place is great. Especially for fun groups w/o kids. But make a reservation there isn't any good place to wait and it gets crowded. We will be back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/21/2013

    If I could pimp smack myself and make it hurt, I would. My old office is right across the street from here, but I never came here for lunch. I feel like a total failure for not taking advantage of the proximity of this place and my old office over the past 4 years. Serioulsy, again, I'd pimp smack myself if I knew it would be hard enough to knock some sense into me for what an idiot I was. However, now that I know how FANTASTIC the food is here, you won't be able to keep me away (Sadly, I just this past Monday, 2/18, La Scarola has closed their doors for lunch).

    La Scarola has some of THE BEST food I've ever tasted in my life. I'm not kidding.

    The grilled calamari appetizer. No rubber feeling. No fishy smell. Mmmm, the seasoning...the charring...PERFECT!

    For our entree's, Steak Vesuvio (10 oz. Filet mignon grilled and served with potatoes and vesuvio sauce) and a special of the night, Chilean Sea Bass (along with a huge bed of spinach and an increadible sauce) this is probably the best fish I've EVER tasted. No joke. I ate up every last bite of that sea bass.

    For dessert, we had double chocolate mouse cake, and again, it was perfect.

    Armando the owner will make you feel like an old friend even if it's your first time meeting him. He gave my boyfriend and I a shot of tequila on the house... thanks Armando!

    The prices are amazing. The food is even better. The staff is top notch. I can't think of one bad thing to say about La Scarola.

    I think I just found my favorite restaurant in Chicago....and that's saying a lot.

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/20/2014

    This one took some thought and I hated to give it only 3 stars and after reading my review, you'll see it is a love / hate situation.
    After reading tons of reviews from tons of Italian eateries, we were pretty sure this was the place to go while staying in the near west side.
    Made a reservation for a Sunday night at 7:00 pm and got there right at 7:00
    Place is packed and noisy and was told to wait by the bar which is small and standing room only.  Surprisingly we were seated within like two minutes.
    Our waiter started out great....... Don't know his name , but he looked like and reminded me of Tommy Chong from Cheech & Chong. Ordered drinks and the grilled callamari app that everyone raves about.  Drinks were good and the callimari had great flavor  and chared nicely, but pretty  damn tough and rubbery ..........just grilled a little too long.  Nice serving size and good flavor as I said though. The crusty bread and oil at the table could have been really good, but the bread was ice cold like it was not done thawing. I would think it would at least be at room temp in a high turnover place like this but WTF???

    Our waiter brought our meals in a normal timely manner and I had asked for the Pasta Sinatra which was not on the menu, but they obliged even though they were out of scallops. OK, they would just throw in more shrimp or mussels.  My wife had Chilean Sea Bass.   My pasta was to die for and the mussels were the true gems in this dish. They were perfect, and I am a mussel finnadict. Great sauce, aldente pasta, and a pile of it. Highly recommend it.  My wifes Sea Bass was a very nice portion of fish on a bed of sauted spinach with a brothy light sauce. Let me tell you that this Sea Bass was Buttery,  melt in your mouth, rich and delicate at the same time, 2nd best  fish I ever tasted in my life!!! If you are a fish lover get it, you won't forget it.

    So, now your wondering why only 3 stars when the food is so good. Well, after our meal was delivered ( actually thrown on our table without a word) from " Tommy" our waiter, we never as much got a Hi, Good bye, or kiss my ass from him. Don't know if he was pissed we didn't order wine or what. The party of two, 8 inches from our table that did order wine was getting the full treatment from him. The table of 4 on the other side that shared 2 entrees between 4 people , got the royal treatment with complimentary birthday canolli and singing while Tommy buried his ass in my wifes face to take their picture.  Shortly after , he tossed the check on the table, and I reluctantly left him a 15% tip.  Still kickin myself in the ass for doing that!!!

    I know this place has great food, but when I drop $100.00 or better for 2 people, I expect a little better. Staring at a dirty dusty curtain covering an old door,  and cobwebs with dusty crooked pictures hanging on the wall and a waiter that doesn't have the courtesy  to say Thank You or Fuck Off  rubs me  the wrong way and really ruins a great dinner.  

    I understand the charm of this place and it has some good history and has some old celebs on the wall. I still wouldn't want to see it with the lights on bright.  It is what it is, a small packed, loud old Italian joint, and they don't advertise it any different on their website.  I can overlook the little piddly stuff like cobwebs and cold bread and even medeocre food when the service is good,  but this wasn't the case.
    Great food and shitty service don't get 5 stars from me. I'll probably have to go back next time in town and try another great dish, but WILL have a different waiter next time. Still don't know what the deal was???  Hope you understand my love/ hate rating and hope you have a better experience than we did.  

    BTW................Your Welcome Tommy!!!
    Slammer!!!

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/21/2014

    Love this restaurant! The service is great, they are always around even when the table doesn't even need anything! They are very attentive to the table and know exactly when you need more bread in the bread basket ha! Their pasta specials are always changing which is great, but they also have amazing classics on the menu that are always there as well. They have a fairly large seating area and very accommodating to large parties!

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/11/2013
    1 check-in

    Great little restaurant. My favorite is the muscles and fried calamari. The bread is good with the olive oil on the table. Service is good and prices are fair. Been here a few times.

    Today (day before Mother's Day) at 520 pm they are turning people away. It's crowed but very quant. I'd suggest this is a good alternative to Rosebud which I like. Actually I like their red sauce better.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/27/2014

    Being half Italian, I have to admit I am the most judgmental towards establishments that call themselves authentic Italian restaurants. That being said, La Scarola is my go-to. If anyone asks me for Italian recommendations (which they usually do) it is hands down my first suggestion. I love every aspect of it, not only the exceptional food, but the entire ritual of waiting next door at Richard's and having a PBR, to chatting it up with all the friendly wait staff and having them take a seat with you at your table. Expect traditional Italian in everything from the food to service.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/28/2013
    4 check-ins
    Listed in My Chicago Ten.

    This is the best traditional Italian restaurant that I have been to in the city; or at least so far! I have to reiterate "traditional" though because if you're expecting an new, trendy, scene'y RPM or Piccolo Sogno type experience, it's not the right place....

    Massive portions, very classic italian dishes in a cluttered environment where the old school, bow tie laden wait staff often speak to each other in their native tongue! Sinatra and Capone memorabilia on the walls and always a packed house.

    Highlights for me are certainly the Penne Ala Vodka, the off menu-seafood pasta and the sausage and peppers appetizer. Next time I go though, which I can promise you will be soon (maybe even now if I continue thinking about it!) it will be time to dig into one of their veal dishes..

    Whether you're local or an out-of-towner, La Scarola is a true Chicago treat and experience, right up there with the likes of Gibson's and the others as imperative to our city's unique flair! Go.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/11/2013

    I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet.  Its the Chicago deal!  I've been here with work people, with my parents, my boyfriend, my nephew - just about everyone!  Its solid, no fuss food.  No gimmicks.  I can vouch that the lightly fried calamari is delicious, I love the lasagna (but you need to go right to bed after you eat that so not before a show) the ravioli, the specials, the salad and the fish.  The last time I was there I tried the eggplant Parmesan and so far its the only thing that I'm just eh about.  It was a little wet.  But next time I'll reread Mancow's review and order something else.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/19/2012
    2 check-ins

    Oh man, you wanna talk about legit Italian restaurants?  Not your "for show", pretend Italian restaurants? This place is PURE!  Reminds me of a couple of my all time favorite places in NYC's little Italy. Places that I thought were incomparable.  Well saddle up boys, this place is almost that good. From the nondescript (some might say shady) exterior to the hustle and bustle inside, the moment you walk in, you know this is Italian. The kind where you hope you get a seat with your back against the brick wall, just in case. You can never be too cautious you know. The walls are full of a rogues gallery of chicagos finest(?).   Interesting pre dinner entertainment to try to guess the decade some of those were taken. The waiters all look like extras from the Sopranos in their white shirts, ties, and slicked back dark hair. Love that!! Attentive without being annoying. They know the drill. With the specials of the day on a full page, handwritten menu insert as a complement to their mainstay offerings, the selection is spectacular. We started with some good Tuscan wine and appetizers of calamari (terrific) and fried zucchini which, to my chagrin, did not come with marinara sauce. Wish it did cause that's how I like it. Entrees? Let's just say that this is not for those of you who want small plates - this is a place for big eaters. We ordered three dishes of various veal entrees and each was wonderful. The veal was so tender! The other dish was a shrimp and pasta arabiata sauce special which was amazing. My veal Marsala was excellent except that they used canned mushrooms. I don't like that. I want fresh mushrooms. The hit of the night was off their basic menu called Vitello I'd Franco with asparagus spears, tomatoes, garlic, and arugula  WOW! So tasty! Half a portion would have been plenty but the leftovers were almost as good. It came with a side of risotto which was creamy smooth and done to perfection. The standard pasta is angel hair and it was amazing.

    This is a place you NEED to try. You'll thank me. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is those nasty canned mushrooms. I'll be back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/10/2015

    The lasagna was amazing and so was the service. There was a wait but we got seated pretty quick. I would definitely go again and again...

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/29/2012
    32 check-ins

    I am so torn...I love the food here but I hate the attitude of the waiters!  Honestly I've never had a friendly waiter here. Maybe that is what the owner wants. He wants them to have a chip on there shoulder...maybe there all method acting for Godfather 4!

    So my review is purely based on the food!

    The food is out of this world.  It is some of the best Italian you will find in the neighborhood and the line going out the door is the proof. I highly advise everyone to make a reservation.  Recently I had two friends over from out of town and they didn't want to drive anywhere, so we walked over to the restaurant.  I called ahead to make a reservation and I am glad I did because we grabbed the last table. Again it is 8:15pm on a Wednesday night and this place is slammed. Most neighborhood joints aren't this packed unless the food is phenomenal.

    My buddies asked me what's good and I told them everything.  We finally settled on a few things and everything was amazing.

    We had a veal that was covered in tomatoes, garlic, spinach and cheese and it was fantastic.  Every bite was so good.  It was also piping hot...the dish had to sit a few minutes to let it cool down.  That is how fresh it was when it hit the table.

    We also ordered the penne pasta with chicken, sausage, red pepper flakes, zucchini, garlic, tomatoes and olive oil.  This dish was garden fresh.  It was so good and is similar to a dish I make at home.  It was nice to taste someone else's version and I also learned I need to add more garlic in my version.  

    We also ended the night on some spumoni, which is Italian ice cream.  The last time I had this was like 20 years ago at a wedding!!!  So it brought back many memories.

    Let's go back to the attitude: my family once didn't get seated here because our child was with us.  The waiter went to seat us and an older gentleman started fighting with the waiter.  He pulled the waiter away from me and there heated debate continued. I even saw a few hands fly in the air...being Sicilian i knew that wasn't a hood sign for me! He finally walked up to me and said the wait would be an hour for a table. I was really not happy but didn't want to make a scene. I could see we were being discriminated against for having a child on a busy Friday Night. No parent is going to wait an hour for dinner with a hungry kid, so we left. We went next door to Emmit's and had a great dinner (plus no wait for a table). If La Scarola wants to let attitude get in the way of making money, then I'm fine spending my money elsewhere.  I also decided to call La Scarola from Emitt's two minutes after being denied a table and was able to get a table right away on the phone via a reservation. Funny and sad at the same time! Honestly it is all part of the attitude here and it proved my point we were discriminated against for having a kid on a Friday night!!!

    I wish there food was terrible so I could give them a one star review based off of attitude and bad food. But the food is really really good.  

    You've got me La Scarola!!!  Like an Italian Uncle I can't stand who is always giving me a hard time and pushing my buttons. We're family and that is why I keep coming back plus your food makes me happy!!!

    So call ahead and make reservations! Do not be surprised if there is a wait even with reservations! Check your pride at the door and get ready for some attitude! Your belly will be thanking you with all this yummy Italian food comforting you!!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/29/2014

    I loved the food! I went here after getting my undergrad, and the food was amazing. I was with a larger group and they still provided excellent service!

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/8/2014

    Great selection for catering! Everyone loved the meatballs, meat lasagna, eggplant parm, and bruschetta. Ordered a couple days in advance and the food was ready to pick up on time and piping hot.  They provided the bread and butter, warming stands, fuel, utensils, plates.  Didn't really know what I was paying for so make sure to ask over the phone if you're ordering a lot.  They weren't able to deliver for me because the truck was already booked solid, so be sure to book early if you need that service.  Would definitely go back!

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/19/2012
    2 check-ins

    Authentic Italian food at its best. I dined here Saturday night with my husband and my parents while they were in town. As soon as you walk in you know it's going to be good. The place is packed and you can tell they put all of the focus on the food. The decor probably hasn't been updated since the place opened but that was part of the charm.

    The menu had great selection and a hand written specials menu a page long.  We started with some Tuscan wine, and as well as the fried calamari and fried zucchini. And I can't forget about those 2 pieces of bread I scarfed down drenched in high quality olive oil and parmesan cheese.  There were about 6 things I wanted but I finally settled on the veal special that was veal wrapped with prosciutto and mozzarella with Marsala wine sauce over angel hair. The veal was so tender and thin, it was heaven. The portions are absolutely huge. When the bus boy cleared my plate I heard the waiter ask him if I was getting a doggy bag. There was so much food leftover he wanted to make sure there wasn't something wrong with my dish. Rest assured, I wanted to consume every last bite of that food.

    Service was spot on. All the servers are very Italian. Our server was fantastic - very attentive but not in your face so we could still carry on our conversation uninterrupted.

    My only gripe was that the mushrooms in my Marsala were canned. I hate that. And if I'm being picky, I would have preferred the bread was warm when we got it but honestly everything else was so amazing it more than compensated for these minor setbacks. This certainly was not  enough to justify anything less than a 5 star rating.

    I will be dreaming of this place until I go back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/19/2014

    La Scarola reminded me of all that's good about old fashion Italian food and service.  Dinner last night was Grilled Octopus, Pasta Fagioli, Sautéed Soft Shell Crabs and Veal with Asparagus.  It all could not have been better.  Definitely a place to eat but do not forget to call ahead it's a very busy place.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/17/2014

    I'm a huge advocate for ambiance...there's none here, but the food is so amazing it doesn't matter. If you want awesome Italian with a casual atmosphere and reasonable prices, La Scarola is your winner!!!

  • 3.0 star rating
    12/30/2014

    Our experience here was completely average.  Atmosphere is great, service was alright, and our dishes were hit and miss. Mussels and bruschetta appetizers were great and really set the tone. Unfortunately, basket of bread was cold and salads were subpar. The lettuce was brown and clearly thrown on a plate out of a bag of lettuce with minimal effort. The time between appetizers and entrees was incredibly long.  We spoke to our server once and while the restaurant was busy, it just seemed too long.   We had four entrees and they were average. The veal was over-breaded and smothered in cheese. The presentation was overall more like the effort of a diner, than a Classic Italian restaurant. I would be willing to give it another shot if someone else chose to go, but won't seek out a reservation at this place.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/16/2015

    Old school Chicago Italian restaurant w/traditional plates @ a good price, not to mention tasty!  This place can get packed but that's also one of things that give said its charm.  Good for takeout as well.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/15/2011

    As non-guido Jersey-ians, we are sorry for what our guido friends have done to the image of Italian-Americans...but please don't turn us away from La Scarola because my fat inner-Italian would weep forever!

    By the way, we were almost turned away because there were a ton of reservations for Friday night. Thankfully, it wasn't because we were from Jersey...

    Anyway, I've been to La Scarola a few years back but I moved away from the Midwest. Finally back around Chicago, I was anxious to see how La Scarola has changed over the years in terms of quality. I'm thankful to report that it is just as delicious as I remembered.

    I had a $13 pasta dish that could have easily fed two angry-hungry me's. And when I get angry-hungry, I mean I am RAVENOUS.

    The portions are unbuckle-your-belt HUGE and the prices are low! How can you argue with that?

    I didn't have the grilled calamari but the fried calamari was easily one of the best calamari dishes I've ever had. The batter wasn't too thick or heavy; instead, it was the perfect, light, golden texture. The squid was bursting with freshness too.

    The ambiance is warm and buzzing, with super attentive service and thick Italian accents being thrown about because the real Italians bring all their Godfather-like family members here. We loved it.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/27/2014

    This is hands down the best Italian I've had outside of Italy.  The penne with vodka sauce and chicken had so many great flavors. And the chicken vesuvio was amazing.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/11/2014
    1 check-in

    I went here last week for my Birthday with my boyfriend. It was my second time here and both times I've been impressed. The interior is a little cluttered but it has the feel of an authentic Italian restaurant. They are always pretty packed too. The staff is extremely friendly and know their menu inside and out. I usually go with an item off their daily special menu, and I have not been disappointed. This time, we got Eggplant Parmesan and a Pasta dish with Italian Sausage, mushrooms, shallots, and a light red sauce. Both were awesome. They give you great bread to start with, and I was really pleased with their Moscato. Food comes out in a timely manner as well!

  • 1.0 star rating
    6/29/2013

    I wish I could review the food. Visiting Chicago with a couple of girlfriends, this place was recommended by a guy who lived in Chicago when asked for something not touristy. My friend called to make a reservation for Saturday at 7pm (spoke with a human being, this wasn't a voicemail).

    We got there about five minutes late. The place was pretty unimpressive from the front, but we were willing to be proven wrong. We were immediately greeted once in the door, and when we told the guy we had a reservation he pointed to the adjoining room and told us to speak with the bartender. Okaaaaay. So we did that. The bartender shrugged and went back to mixing drinks. He offered us a drink and when we declined (we had a reservation and just wanted to be seated first) went back to his drinks.

    Nobody else spoke to us, nobody said anything about clearing a table or any other reason for a delay. Interestingly, neither individual asked for the name on the reservation. It was just weird, so we left.

    The place was much bigger inside and the diners looked happy. We won't be back.

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/29/2014

    Good food. Armando is a punk. He likes to touch people. A LOT.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/3/2013
    2 check-ins
    Listed in Vegan Italian

    Great pasta sauces!  It's obvious that this restaurant has been around a long time because my bf and I felt it was a little filthy...but the food is soooo good!  I highly recommend the tomato sauce with basil (your choice of noodles).  La Scarola is our new favorite Italian place, but we'll be ordering to-go from here going forward.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/7/2013

    Quite frankly next to Topo Gigo the best Italian in the city. If your going here the specials are where you want to start. I had the Chicken al Giorno which was amazing, spinach, garlic, strips of juicy chicken (making my mouth water as I write this, is it lunch yet?)  and Sun Dried Tomatoes with a olive oil based sauce, oh my. anyways been coming here for years and never once had a bad experience. Its cramped, its tacky decor but that adds to the experience and trust me it'll be your favorite as well.

    Later..

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/13/2013
    1 check-in

    The owner... great!  The servers... great!  The food... great!  The space... a little tight and in much need of an update.  I feel that, if they remodel, it will just make the experience that much better.  Reservations are a must.  I don't know why none of us thought to make a reservation on a Friday night... duh.  We arrived around 7:20pm and were told by the owner that he could take us at about 8:30pm.  We decided to wait because it would take us just as long to go anywhere else.  Fortunately, we had decent weather because you have to wait outside.  I think we were seating on time... wasn't really paying attention.  We closed the restaurant leaving around 11:15pm.  The owner actually sat and chatted with us for a few minutes... nice guy.  I found the pricing to be quite reasonable for our party of four.  I will return again, but maybe not on a Friday.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/15/2012

    It's the prime example of Italian food not needing to be expensive to be amazing. La Scarola is half the price for five times the satisfaction. Portions are plentiful and I've never once left without thinking to myself "God I love this place."

    Everything on the menu is fantastic, but if it's your first go at it I'd recommend anything with vodka sauce. You could probably put that stuff on a piece of plywood and I'd go through it board and all without even a second thought.

    The atmosphere isn't exactly romantic, but chances are if your date likes La Scarola you're going to have a much better time with them than someone who just thinks a restaurant is good because of it's price tag. The vibe is classic Chicago, and very representative of this awesome city.

    It gets crowded so rezzies are highly suggested, but even if you try to walk in it's totally worth the wait.

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/24/2012
    1 check-in

    I'll admit this place was intimidating.  Everyone but us seemed to know everyone else at the restaurant.  I had made a reservation for like 8pm on a Tuesday night, but even at 8pm they said it would be a 20 min wait.  My party waited in the awkward covered outside area until 8:20pm when finally we decided to stand inside the restaurant somewhat awkwardly.  Then we were seated immediately!

    The bread was great as was the sausage and peppers appetizer.  We also got the fried green tomatoes but they were breaded with cheese which was not listed on the menu and meant I didn't eat them.  I ordered the linguine with clams in white sauce which in all other restaurants I've been to is nondairy because it's cooked with olive oil, but here there was a distinct butter taste.  Hungry, I ate it even though I'm sure I was causing myself gastric distress.  It was a huge portion and, other than the butter, it tasted good with a generous portion of clams.  However I just wish it was not such a buttery place.  I would be open to going again, but I would have to be more aggressive about making sure things had no butter, and the waitstaff is admittedly a little dismissive which made me not want to question them.

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/16/2012
    2 check-ins

    Due to popular Yelp acclaim, I swung by La Scarola to sample the grub.

    We made a reservation for 8:45 on a Monday night and there were tables available.  Our server, Bob, was friendly.  Too friendly, perhaps?  There were times I was wondering if he was hitting on my girl.  Still, that's better than the alternative.

    I ordered the Peto di Pollo (Chicken breast grilled with a sprinkling of garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil set over baby greens, topped with roasted vegetables.)

    Let me translate: A juicy grilled chicken breast under six metric tons of asparagus, and red and green peppers.

    Perhaps it was my fault for not asking *which roasted veggies they were, but I didn't expect my chicken to be hiding under a couch fort of greens.

    The chicken was good!  I just would have preferred a side of pasta instead of half a rainforest.

    Deduct one star because the bread they bring to the table is cold.  (My personal Italian food motto is: "Hot bread or death!")

    When it came to dessert, we were tempted to go with the cheesecake until we asked what kind it was.  "Ricotta cheesecake," Bob replied.  Ricotta cheesecake?!?  Hell, no.

    I suspect I simply ordered a dish that didn't tickle my particular taste buds, so I will be back for another shot.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/4/2012

    The door is opened for me: are you here to use the washroom? uh, what, no? then how can i help? umm, what regular restaurants would ask, can i have a table for 2? oh yeah, your friend is already waiting at the bar! Couldn't be, I'm 20 minutes early!

    I make my way to the bar and the nicest bartender is doing just that, being nice!

    All the servers were so hyper and energetic here that it was contagious! When my friend did get there 20 minutes later, she was surprised to see me so hyper, until she saw the energy of the place and couldn't help but participate.

    I got bow-tie pasta in vodka sauce and my friend got the pasta vesuvio. I loved my sauce! The quantities were humongous - 3-4 meals made of it!!

    Walking out of there, I told my friend this is now one of my top 3 Italian restaurants in town, even though she gives me a hard time about how my Italian food expectations are so high for a cuisine so simple. I think simple, yes, hard to get right though!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/12/2014

    The best Italian food I've ever had...awesome little hole in the wall with the most authentic delicious AMAZING food!!!! The vodka sauce is unreal and the chicken piccata with a side of angel hair pasta is to die for. This is my most favorite restaurant in Chicago HANDS DOWN!! Go there now!!!!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Magen R. said "Loved this place! My boyfriend and I popped in for a late lunch this past Saturday around 2:30 with high hopes to sit outside…" read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    11/12/2014

    If you come to La Scarola you HAVE to try the pasta fagioli, it is delicious! The grilled calamari and the chicken parm are superb as well. I have no complaints.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/9/2014

    Ate here end of September,2014. Good food and good service. The only thing I didn't like was the cannoli, it didn't taste fresh. Would definetly go back though when return to Chicago.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/16/2014

    went last night with 8 friends for a birthday dinner - Italian food is my least favorite food to go out for- but this place was great.  Everyone enjoyed their meals.  I ordered the Penna Alla Vodka and it was awesome.  I tried my brothers veal alla gabe and it was the best veal I've had.  the malbec wine was great and cheap and the grilled calamari app was awesome.  the fried calamari was just ok but that was the only average thing I tried - everything else was top notch. also service was top notch.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/2/2013

    5 stars for the food alone! I usually am weary about ordering basic pasta dishes at Italian restaurants, just because they're usually average. But my friend brought me here for dinner on a Sunday night, and it was one of the best Italian dinners I've ever had! I imagine the food in Italy to taste like this. I ordered the vodka pasta, which had shrimp, mushrooms, and arugula. So good! I also took bites of the spicy pasta dish and the chicken dish that my friends ordered, and they were also very flavorful and delicious.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/8/2012

    I love that La Scarola is un-hip, non-trendy, uncool and decidedly old-school.  

    Don't come to La Scarola expecting cutting edge food gastronomy.  Hell, don't even come to find an interesting new take on Italian fare.  La Scarola is doing classic, traditional Italian food.  You'll find a menu full of things like calamari, bruschetta, sausage & peppers, pasta, meatballs, chicken vesuvio, veal marsala and various fish dishes.  The specials of the day are handwritten and photocopied.  My kind of style!

    Also expect to find a crowded and loud atmosphere and kind of hodgepodge decor.  The walls are covered with pictures of the famous and probably not-so-famous people that visited La Scarola over the years.  It's fun to check them out and see if you recognize anyone from their guest spot on CSI three years ago or that rouge newscaster from WGN circa 1986.

    Despite a completely non-updated atmosphere and a menu that's probably been around since they opened their doors, I REALLY enjoyed my dinner and my experience.  

    First off, my martini(s) were huge, still and perfectly executed.  Yum.  Next, we ordered the mussels special in white wine sauce.  ZOMG.  My dining companion had never had mussels before (sacrilege) and ended up loving them.  LOVING them.  It took every ounce of self control to not pick up the serving plate and drink down the wine sauce.

    I decided on the penne alla vodka, which is penne (obvi) with a creamy vodka sauce served with enormous shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms.  The portion was enormous, so I have enough leftovers for at least two more meals.  My P.I.C. went with the traditional penne with marinara sauce and three massive meatballs and swore up and down it was some of the best pasta ever.  I would concur, especially since we shared our dishes.

    Service was lovely, valet is $4.50 (WHAT??!!) AND the restaurant is right next door to Richard's Bar.  Count me as a La Scarola believer.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/30/2011
    2 check-ins

    Thank you yelp for helping me find La Scarola!!  We had reservations for a Friday night at 6:30 and this little place was already packed when we walked in!  The small space and somewhat cheesy decor made me fill like we were dining in an old italian grandmother's living room and the signed celeb pictures on the wall were fun to look over while we waited for our food.

    We started off with some bread (which I wish was warm, but the rest of the meal more than made up for it!) and a bottle of pinot noir.  We also tried the grilled calamari after so many reviewers mentioned it and it was very good indeed.  I've always been a bread it, fry it, dip it in marinara kind of girl when it comes to octopus but this was a nice change up.  

    After seeing how huge the plates coming out of the kitchen were, my boyfriend and I decided to split a plate and we still had leftovers.  Our choice, and the super star of the meal, was the Pasta Pesto that was on their specials menu.  Huge Scallops and equally as large Shrimp with zucchini and sun dried tomatoes in a jalapeno pesto cream sauce-ohemgee-Amazing!  We couldn't really taste jalapeno, just a small spicy kick at the end, mainly just amazing pesto flavor.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it, I'm already thinking about how soon we can go back!  We finished off the meal with a cannoli and some espresso and it was the perfect ending to a great meal.  Simply delicious.  If you're looking for great Italian food (and totally reasonable prices at that!) I highly recommend La Scarola.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/29/2014

    This place is incredible. Great atmosphere and ARMANDO made the night. I will be coming here every time I visit Chicago!! Please know I'm a regular from Indy, from here on out!

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/28/2013

    Didn't think i'd like italian food this much, but everything we ordered was DELICIOUS! Portions are large so definitely recommend doing family style. We ordered Grilled Calamari (must try), chicken angelo, and a special which had scallops, shrimp, mussles with penne pasta in vodka sauce. They do not skimp on the seafood and scallops were actually large! All the sauces were just so tasty and paired with wine was just amazing. The best tiramisu I've had.

    Pretty packed and reservations are probably best.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/30/2014

    Fresh sea food. Friendly service. A nice comfortable evening out. Be loud. Be quiet. It's really up to you. I think the wknds get rowdy sometimes. I love how many pictures of celebs are on the wall. I had dinner across mr. Depp's picture. I pretended we were on a date. We had fun thank you!!!

  • 2.0 star rating
    3/23/2014

    Super disappointing, went with a group of 10 friends from out of town, we had a 400 dollar bill and at the end they tell us we can use 3 cards max; they wouldn't budge and were actually pretty rude. The food was whatevs, I'd give it 3 stars.  I wouldn't recommend this place to my friends.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/19/2013

    Super cute and cozy place! This is really a "no frills" Italian spot, complete with black and white celeb photos covering the walls, and it's delish.  Came here around 6 on a Tuesday and had no problem getting a seat, right by the window i might add. I high recommend the Penne alla Vodka. It's not just your average noddles and sauce. They add shrimp, mushrooms and arugula and it works!

    if you are looking for some Italian comfort food, this is your spot!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/9/2014
    Listed in Gimme Some Yum

    I had the best Christmas party dinner here ever. The meal was so good it went way beyond even the high expectations we had for it. The wine was great, the service was excellent. The calamari was seriously the best I have ever had. I want to say that about the bruschetta too. It was one of those meals where it was hard to believe that every single thing could possibly taste so amazing. I had a risotto that my husband and I still talk about as if we ate it this morning. After trying so many dishes I have the feeling it is impossible to go wrong when ordering here. Now I know why this place is always packed. This will now be my go to Italian restaurant when friends are visiting Chicago. I can not say enough good things.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/1/2014
    1 check-in

    As a native but displaced New Yorker, the chance to have great Southern Italian cooking is something I don't pass up. La Scarola delivers. The food is like I remember from back in Queens. Awesome Veal dishes, fresh hot Semolina bread and home made Tiramisu. 'Nuff said.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/6/2013
    1 check-in

    Warning: this review may be difficult to understand as it has been roughly translated from its original Italian.

    I really liked this place. The food here was good. My friend got Vitello di Franco. I got the chicken. I will come back and this place was good.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/2/2014
    1 check-in

    Off the beaten path, authentic Italian food.  I needed some good comfort food and got a wonderful plate of lasagna. Flavorful, delicious and hit the spot. Will definitely come back!

  • 3.0 star rating
    2/16/2014
    1 check-in

    Came here for Valentine's day. We had 9:30p reservations. The minute you walk in this place you're hit with a delightful smell of pure deliciousness. The place was packed. When we let the waiter know we had 9:30p reservations he let's us know they were running about 30 min behind and asked us to go next door for drinks. We went next door to this loud, smokey bar came back at 10p where we had to wait an additional 20-30 min to be seated. Once seated we were attended immediately. The food was decent. We had the stuffed shrimp and penne pasta. The pasta could've used more flavor, nonetheless it was decent. The shrimp was delicious along with the fried zucchini. The service stunk horribly when we first arrived thou.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/1/2013

    I have been going to this place for over a decade. I still haven't found a better place that serves better fried calamari, baked clams, Penne alla Vodka (add grilled chicken and melted provolone) and my all time favorite...the app Shrimp Armani (the red sauce in this dish is to die for lol). You will run into the who's who of Chicago in addition to famous actors, politicians, athletes and of course a few good guys;).  

    If you are looking to make a good first impression on a date this is a good place to start...trust me. If you have guests in from out of town...take them here!

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/17/2013

    I go back and forth between 4.5 - 5 stars, so I rounded up.  I've been back so many times, and I would have to say this is probably one of my favorite Italian spots in the city.  It's no frills, completely tacky with photos all over the place and not a place to come for a romantic dinner, but for a great meal with friends. It can get pretty noisy so don't expect to be having deep, meaningful conversations over dinner here.

    Helpful tips:
    -Make a reservation and also give yourself about a 30-45 minute window after that reservation to be seated on weekend nights.  If you want to be seated by 8pm on a Saturday, consider a 7:30pm reservation.  The fact is that this place is popular and usually packed.  However, they are nice about giving away some free items (ie: shots) and there is a bar right next door that you can go to while waiting.  Also, stop back every 10 minutes or so with the host to check-in again and see if a table is ready.
    - Try anything that you like and also a few of their recommendations.  I have yet to find a dish here that I did not like.

    Some highlights on the pretty amazing food I've had:
    Appetizers: Grilled calamari, grilled octopus, sausage and peppers (although this is probably more used as a side for us)
    Entrees: Chicken Vesuvio, either of the Veal Chops, and any of the fish.  The portion sizes on these are huge. I think I remember ordering the White Fish and it took up my entire long plate.
    Pastas: Eggplant Parmesan, Capellini Fra Diavolo, Penne alla Vodka and Pasta Lorenzo.
    Dessert: Tiramisu!  I know you will probably be stuffed with all the food, but try and find some room for this.  Delicious!

    Service was great and spot on.  One time we went, my boyfriend's iPhone was around 5% and they charged it for him.  Our server came back to check on us several times and make sure we were enjoying our meals and having a good time.  Had I completed this review after my first visit, I would have probably given 4 stars. After trying a plethora of Italian places in the city and knowing the consistency of their food, I'd highly recommend it.  Check it out!

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/27/2014

    I finally made it after hearing really good reviews.  I loved it.  The aroma was amazing and the food was good and plentiful.  I will definitely go back.  Just one thing.  I would love the bread to be HOT.  I hate cold bread.  The prices are great.

    Thanks!

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/14/2010
    1 check-in

    Try the mushroom soup!

    This was the perfect place to start my first trip to Chicago.  It was exactly what I would have imagined an Italian restaurant in Chicago to be.  It might have been a bit touristy, but that was ok with me.

    The food was very good, the service was attentive and friendly.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/21/2013

    I have a feeling you either love La Scarola or you don't. It's crowded, pretty noisy and you're eating super close to those seated next to you. It sort of feels like a Italian family dinner, which makes sense.

    The food is very good, the prices are reasonable and the kitschy Italian decor is fun. I'd definitely go again.

    Bonus is it's next to Emmitt's and Richard's bar, so if you're looking for a classic, not fancy, typical Chicago night out on the town, you've come to the right spot.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/19/2014

    I have been to Rome and of all the Italian restaurants in Chicago this was definitely the most authentic one I've been too. The grilled octopus appetizer was fantastic, not rubbery at all. I had the salmon and risotto, it was literally the best piece of salmon I ever had. Unfortunately I didn't have room to finish it because I filled up on octopus and the yummy pasta fagioli soup.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/10/2011
    2 check-ins
    Listed in The Italian Job

    I can't add much to the 400+ reviews already written about this place, so I'll just echo that I too, am a fan.

    La Scarola is positively bursting with energy. It's the real-deal kind of Italian restaurant that looks like it's owned by Artie Bucco.

    First off, reservations are a MUST. Seriously, don't even think about coming in here without one, because chances are you will wait for a table even with a reservation. We had a reservation and arrived on time. and were shooed away to the bar to wait for our table. Not a fan of the bar area as I felt like I was on top of the poor people trying to eat their dinner who were seated next to it. Next time, I'll just wait at Richard's (as if I even need an excuse to go there).

    Once we sat, we were given menus and started to discuss options. We settled on the bruschetta and sausage and peppers to start, and shared pasta primavera and the fish special, which was tilapia in a lemon butter caper sauce.

    All of the food was delicious and tasted exactly as expected. They know what they're doing here. Portions are ample and generous, but not obscene (this is not Olive Garden or Maggiano's), and prices are commensurate with the quality and amount of food.

    I especially liked the tilapia, which was light and flaky, but made very flavorful with the delicate sauce it was served with. The pasta primavera was positively brimming with vegetables but I was expecting a garlic and olive oil based sauce (which I prefer) instead of marinara. Still, it was quite enjoyable.

    We finished with a tart and refreshing lemon ice, which was the perfect way to end the meal.

    Service is swift and no-nonsense, even brusque. Don't expect lengthy gushing about the menu and endless discussions about this and that; they're there to do a job, and get it done efficiently.

    In summary, I highly recommend La Scarola and can't wait to go back. Maybe if I'm lucky enough, I'll again be seated under a picture of William Petersen. He's my "freebie" and staring at him while eating my dinner made everything magically delicious.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/1/2013

    The location and venue itself are situated in an area that was once largely populated  by Italian immigrants from back in the day.  Upon entering 'La Scarola,' you are hit in the face with this backdoor-NYC-Little Italy-John-Gotti-Al-Capone nostalgia that overwhelms one's self in every sense in the way. It's loud, it's crowded, people are laughing, people are drinking wine, people are dressed up (and down), and still there is this quaintness and acceptance I can't get over. It's like walking into your own surprise party, except less awkward because you have no time to feel 'surprised.'

    Look to the corner, "oh there's a celebrity," to the other corner, "there's another celebrity". This was Wednesday night around 7:45pm without a reservation. We waited 4 mins, and were seated promptly. Did I mention it was my birthday?

    Our waiter was nice older gentlemen who reminded me of this old Italian guy from back when I was growing up. This older guy would invite us over for desserts with wine and always welcomed us warmly into his home. This guy resurrected in the form of our waiter. At this point I'm thinking, "Nostalgia overload."

    Our food was a 30-35minute wait, with an appetizer in-between and lots of wine. Our glasses always tended to and never empty. I have never been so tended to the way I was on this day, and we were treated to a glass of wine, on the house.

    For an appetizer, I had the grilled octopus in a balsamic dressing sauce with fresh squeezed lemon and romaine garnish. I soaked up every bit of that dressing with my bread and romaine. The octopus was heavenly and the texture was almost near tough, yet tender enough to eat and still get that char on the skin to let your senses know it was on the grill. I died. I know how difficult it is to cook octopus (former sous chef), and the expense. However, 12 bucks for an octopus sure as hell is a delicious deal.

    My brother had the filet mignon vesuvio and it came on a bounty of orgasmic potato wedges soaked in that heavenly vesuvio sauce. Did I mention the filet was freaking amazing (don't eat red meat here!)!? I took a sliver off the edge and as it hit my mouth, my tastebuds jumped out and nearly finished my poor innnocent brother's dinner (took 3 of us to help him finish the entire plate with some to take home).

    For my self, I had the Shrimp Diavolo pasta and holy freaking sweet mary and joseph, I didn't even get to the shrimps, but on my first bite of pasta and sauce, it tasted like the tomatoes took a bath in the ocean and were sprinkled with red pepper flakes. The noodles themselves had absorbed that very essence, and parmesan was not needed to mask the deliciousness of this sauce. The spicyness itself is something to accustom to, and drinking a riesling with it only intensifies the heat. When I took a bite of the shrimp, I died again. I was overwhelmed, and had it not been for the fact I was born with a stomach of iron, I would have definitely had leftovers. However, it would be a blasphemy to leave such an establishment with 'leftovers,' the food itself was too delicious for it to be subjected to 'to-go' containers.  I inhaled every bite, with my mouth on fire, and my tastebuds begging for cold cold water.

    My mother had the chicken breast, which was overwhelmingly flavorful and hearty. That was my original choice, since I'm trying to avoid carbs and what-not, but got to munch on her to-go platter later on. The chicken was seasoned well with fresh herbs, and the veggies were cooked to the point of deliciously sweet, roasted, and tender. I was surprised that only cost 15 bucks. That plate itself is lunch for the next two days at the office.

    Dessert was chocolate cake and tiramisu. The Tiramisu dignifies what delicious tiramisu tastes like. I give it an 8 out of 10. This was the second-best tiramisu I have tasted in my life, the first of course being Bruna's tiramisu in the Heart of Italy neighborhood. The chocolate cake however pretty much takes the cake in the dessert round. I give it a 9.8 out of 10. I leave the (.2) out of it to give another restaurant the chance to prove me wrong and say that is the second-best chocolate cake I have ever had. For now though, THIS IS the best chocolate cake I have had. If you've been to Bittersweet bakery on Belmont, the chocolate cake is a contender, except at La Scarola, it's lighter, more savory, and packs that mocha-ish punch I love. Starbucks eat your heart out. I could take three of these cakes and throw them into a blender with ice and survive off that blended cake-drink for the rest of my life.

    La Scarola, I thought your were a dud until I walked in. I thought I was going to a quiet, low-key restaurant where the food is expensive and service mediocre at-best. You really did take the cake, and MADE ME like you. Which is something very few places can do. Thanks for the awesome birthday and awesome celebrity sightings. Will be here in the future when I get my first paycheck from my new job.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/12/2014

    La Scarola is possibly the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to! We come to Chicago often from California and make a reservation there every time. Don't know where to start. The appetizers, entrees (pasta, veal dishes, etc) are absolutely fabulous. It's a little noisy, but worth it! Also, one of the owners, Armando, takes great care of the diners. This is one of the best restaurant values you will ever find, and I can't think of a place we enjoy more. We brought some friends from New York with us who have been to great restaurants around the world, and they agreed. Don't miss this place!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/2/2013

    I do love this place cause it looks so Italian. The atmosphere is unique. Food is really good, not always exactly Italian (mozzarella is not supposed to be on pasta arrabbiata but it was a good idea anyway lol), sooo tasty and rich. Portion sizes are huge, you will get surprised. And those pictures of the owner together with Frank Sinatra hanging on the wall just melted my heart! Loved it!

  • 1.0 star rating
    10/24/2013

    I hated this place! I made a reservation and still had to wait almost an hour. It's JAM packed. Way too crowded! The tables are way too close together; I'm pretty sure that's a fire hazard. It's WAY too loud. Make sure you bring Excedrin migraine because you'll definitely get a headache from all the noise. You have to yell to the people at your table so they can hear you. The servers aren't very friendly. The food was alright. Not worth the wait though! There are plenty of other restaurants with better food and no wait. I'm never going back here and I don't recommend it to anyone.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/8/2012

    Such a unique and fun dining experience! The set-up of the restaurant is incredibly quirky, small and cramped, get ready to be close to those sitting near you. My only complaint is that the bar is in potentially the most terrible location possible. You're constantly jostled while trying to get a drink and waiting for your table. However, once seated, this was a great dining experience.

    I had the risotto special with scallps and it was so delicious. Huge scallops, creamy risotto, definitely couldn't finish because it was so rich. One of my dining companions had the shrimp special which were massive. Additionally, one of my other friends had lasagna that he loved and came in a huge portion. We enjoyed the calamari as an appetizer as well.

    Perhaps the best part about the restaurant is its atmosphere. The walls are absolutely covered and the owner is flitting around from table to table ensuring all of his diners are having a great experience. I'm still baffled about his system of taking names...but I guess if it works, don't fix it. Hoping for a shot of tequila (he's known to do this) on my next visit.

  • 3.0 star rating
    2/3/2013

    They should call this place Mediocre Scarola!

    It was just missing that X-Factor.
    Speaking of X-Factor, does anyone watch that show?
    I personally think there are too many of these talent shows on tv.
    You have X-Factor, Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent, just way too many.
    I'd rather watch Fear Factor over X-Factor.

    Anyway, I will say the Hose was awesome. He's a funny dude who was clearly working his booty off and gave everyone waiting free shots.
    The service once you sat down was awesome as well.

    It was just the food was ok, nothing that made me want to slap my mama because it was so good. I'll go to Brothers BBQ for that.

    In a Nutshell, it's Mediocre Scarola, I hate X-Factor, I dont mind Fear Factor, and I like BBQ.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/13/2013

    Super delicious! Always a top recommendation of mine. The grilled calamari is truly remarkable.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/2/2013
    1 check-in

    Awesome restaurant!!! The restaurant has great service,  Great Food and the owner is Awesome!!!!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/11/2011

    For all those people who are complaining---
    "Whaddda Tawkin' About?!"

    This place is great. It is a small family restaurant that has earned it's reputation because quite frankly--they are good at what they do.

    The atmosphere is a bit chaotic, but once you settle into a table, unless your a total uptight tool you will get into the groove.  

    I just wish they had more room to stand at the bar.  Don't really enjoy the view of the men's bathroom when I am sipping on my vino. But, that could be just me.

    Our waiter, Ernesto was AMAZING!
    I am a very particular eater, and he took my special order like a champ.  There was no attitude.( it was almost as if he was excited for the challenge.  I like that in a waiter!)  He was ON our drinks and the table was quickly cleared from all plates that were not being picked at.

    The grilled calamari is amazing...and the pasta my girlfriend ordered looked so good I almost ate off her plate!  (But, my low-carb diet and skinny jeans stopped me.)

    The only suggestion I would give would be for them to work on coming up with a decorating scheme for the women's bathroom.  It looks like they went to Goodwill with a budget of five dollars and had a blind person pick out the finishing touches.  If you don't have the money to decorate--Here's a suggestion: DON'T DECORATE.  Less is more.

    But, bad taste in bathroom design will not stop me from coming here to dine.  It was clean.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/8/2014

    Amazing. Best Italian food in Chicago. Great friendly waiter and manager. Casual but elegant and very reasonably priced. Stop by the bar next door. Only bar in Chicago that you can have a cigarette indoors. Place is lively and you will be Elbow to elbow with famous celebrities like Mancow, Oprah or Michael Jordan.

  • 3.0 star rating
    2/8/2012

    I think I may be the only person who hasn't been blown away by this place. Let me preface my review by saying I do not LOVEEE itallian food.

    First off, our waiter was awful! SO SO boring, no personality-- it almost came off standoff-ish and rude. That was a damper to the experience

    Decor: LOVED it as did my parents. You  feel like you are in NYC. Nothing showy about this place. They keep it old school.

    our order:

    breaded calamar- great
    grilled octopus--not my thing
    house salad- decent nothing special
    brocoli salad- better than the house salad
    Macaroni Arrabiata-- great! really fresh mozzarella
    Tilapia Special with red sauce-- good, fish was cooked perfectly but did not stand out
    Pasta special with sausage, chicken, peppers, onions in a garlic sauce--- the best!

    and for desert....
    Canolli
    Cheesecake
    Tiramisu .

    All great.

    I walked away not that impresed. After so much hype, I just thought I would be blown away. The leftovers however seemed to be better!

    If you are into non-trendy, old-school, basic, good itallian--you have absolutely come to the right spot. GOOD PRICE POINTS!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/14/2013

    On the outside, La Scarola looks kind of sketchy and small. Once you get inside, you are greeted by friendly staff, great decor, and boisterous.
    The Italian food was priced fairly and we ordered two pasty dishes and an appetizer, all of which were delicious.
    While we were waiting for our entrees, we were looking at the pictures at the table next to us. We were pretty sure they were pictures of the owner. A couple minutes later, guess who comes by to say hi. The owner is really fun and a great guy. Once he heard we were from Houston, we got complementary Italian ice cream.

    5 stars for a delicious dinner, homey restaurant, and a great owner.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/30/2014

    Love this place; has great food an a great "Little Italy" atmosphere. Nice prices on bottles of wine and champagne.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/13/2014

    Haven't been there in a few years.  Still very good and reasonable prices.  Had to wait about 40 minutes for our Friday night reservation but it's worth the wait. Place was crowded. .. Good to see.  Great local Italian.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/14/2012
    1 check-in

    My wife and I have been trying to dine at La Scarola for almost 10 years.  It's not because we couldn't get in, although the food is good enough to warrant a long wait.  It just seemed like every time we made plans to dine here, something else came up.  So much so that it became an inside joke to suggest it.

    But dammit, on Valentine's Day we were not to be denied!  And thank goodness we persevered.  La Scarola is the kind of Italian I like.  Simple but not lacking appeal.  The more exotic menu items are not frightening and the atmosphere is friendly and not overly stuffy.  All the pride goes into the food.  I don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu.

    A friendly owner and staff top it off.  I can't wait to go back.  Let's hope it's in less than 10 years.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/25/2012

    This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago. It doesn't look like much, but try it out, and you'll see.

    It seems to be fairly well-known, if you talk to Chicagoans who've lived in the city for maybe 10 years, but at the same time it flies under the radar.

    That's not to say that it's empty. This restaurant is very busy, so make a reservation, otherwise you may not get in.

    The prices are pretty reasonable, and the food is very good.

    Valet parking is offered, but usually you can find a street spot instead. Myself, I find valet to be a hassle/annoying to use if I can just park on the street within a block.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/30/2013
    1 check-in

    Recommended as we were from out of town and lived up to its yelp rating. Great food, great portions, service could have been better. Pene vodka was really good.

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    1/24/2014

    We have only been here once so far and it was based upon a great recommendation from a friend. This place is truly a little hidden place that if you don't know it's there you can miss out completely. The funny thing is that we weren't the only ones. There was a wait to get it and it was well worth it. Everything was not only great, but we had enough leftovers for the next few days.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/22/2012

    La Scarola is one of these places that's an institution for those in the know.  It's in a cramped, out-of-the-way spot and tables are close together and a bit creaky.  Old photos of famous and no-so-famous people decorate the walls, and you wouldn't be half surprised to see a group of made-men dining in the corner.

    Although some of my friends rave about this place, I think they're really taken in by the idea of it more than the actual restaurant itself.  The food is old-school American Italian--think large portions of chicken parm and pasta with red sauce.

    Everyone who's curious should go here at least once for the experience.  For me, Piccolo Sogno and Coco Pazzo nearby offer better, if slightly more expensive, Italian fare.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/10/2012

    La Scarola is my favorite restaurant in Chicago, hands down.

    All of the five times I have visited this spot proved better than the last, with delectable cuisine and fast service. While the decor may look cluttered to some, I find it charming and cozy, with photographs adorning the Italian Villa styled walls.

    On one occasion, when I ate at La Scarola for my birthday, I had an especially pleasant evening. I had made reservations for 7:00pm on a Friday night. Upon arriving, we were faced with a line that proceeded down the block. Admittedly, we were not sat until nearly 8:00pm. To make up for this 'inconvenience,' the polite owner provided free wine and liquor for the evening, and told our waiter that our meal would be half off, no matter how much or what we ordered. After appetizers, dinner, dessert, drinks, and a generous tip, we walked away having spent only $50.

    Many Chicago Italian restaurants have hearty meals and nice decor, but it is the personable attitude of the staff, the attention to detail in every meal I have tried, and the non-touristy vibe that keeps me coming back for more! I would recommend this restaurant time and time again!

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/6/2011
    1 check-in

    It is true what the reviews say - you will have to wait even if you made reservations. But once you're in, its all uphill from there.  A friend was visiting from Manhattan and she LOVED this place (that says a lot..Manhattan being the capital of the world and all) Had a few specials - grilled calamari, Chilean sea bass, oysters with white wine sauce, a bottle of chilled cabernet sauvignon and tiramisu for dessert. Food was fresh and succulent!  And yes, Richards is quiet the bar (next door) and a must go before or after dinner.

    La Scarola + Richards = Happy times

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/8/2012
    Listed in Too Legit to Quit

    Not shitting you, probably the best Italian restaurant in the city.

    My mom used to work at an Italian eatery in Germany when I was a kid, and sometimes I'd go with her and hang out in the kitchen with Antonia, the round Italian cook who used to sharpen my colored pencils with her kitchen knives. The food here tastes like her food. It just.... tastes like genuine real love. Smothered in butter and olive oil.

    My first time here was with a sales rep, and when I found myself at the dreaded intersection of Grand, Halsted, and Milwaukee I was like "WTF, Laura, where are you taking me." Turns out she was taking me to a carb lover's heaven.

    It's always crowded - good sign. The seating's a little tight and sometimes you could get sat at an awkward intersection of bar, kitchen, and server highway, but whatever. Knock back a couple glasses of wine and you won't even care.

    It's no bones. Not real fancy, the carpet is probably 10 years old, it's dimly lit, there's paper on the tables, and the walls are covered PLASTERED with photographs of local celebrities dating back to ancient times. But seriously, it doesn't even matter.

    So the food. I don't even remember what I got the first time, suffice it to say it's kept me thinking about this place for 4 years.

    I do remember what I had yesterday. We got the bruschetta which was ridiculous. Super fresh, crazy delicious, crusty toasted bread, and dripping in olive oil. Not soaking, just dripping. Not garlicy enough to be awkward after, but just enough to know it's there.

    Then I had the eggplant parmigianna, which came with a side of pasta and marinara. The eggplant was cool. For some reason, it was the plain old pasta that had me OMFGing all over the place. I don't know where they get their spaghetti from, but can I get some for my house? If I could have just sat in the pot of pasta and ate until I died, I think I might have. Maybe it's better that I don't have any at my house. My friend has the cheese ravioli and had a similar reaction.

    I would recommend this place 8 million times higher than the fancy place across the street. Maybe it's because Richard's is next door, but this just feels like the "bullshit free - what we do is serve good food, and that's all we do" zone. I can appreciate that.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/14/2013
    1 check-in

    Pasta Giovanni was DELICIOUS. Probably the best tasting pasta I've had in Chicago thus far. The service could have been friendlier but the food was fresh and I was just as happy  devouring leftovers. Would love to return!

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/21/2012

    Had dinner at the Scarola on a busy Sunday night. We were a party of 4 with a baby. The staff was extremely helpful and very nice to us. The owner was sitting (we only figured that out later) next to our table, so maybe that's why. :)

    We ordered the scampi as antipasti plus a mixed antipasti plate. I do not like scampi, and I was surprised to having liked these lemony roasted scampi that were not chewy. We had different kinds of pasta, all tasted extremely good. There was so much food though that we couldn't finish our plates.

    The atmosphere is really nice, Italy meeting the US midway, with touches of hispanic culture. I would definitely go again and try another kind of pasta.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/13/2012

    YUMMMMERS!!!

    We were here this past weekend for a friend's surprise birthday party and will definitely be returning.  

    It started out a bit rough.  We were asked to arrive early by the boyfriend throwing the party so that we could all be seated when the birthday girl arrived.  I and my husBAND arrived about 45 minutes early and figured we would just hang at the bar.  We opened the door and realized what a tiny little place this was and it did not appear to have a bar.  So, we left and went around the corner to another bar and hung out.  When we came back, we walked in and no one was really there to greet us so we just kind of kept walking through.  We reached another room and noticed the very tiny bar with no seating.  There we found  some others for the party and decided to stand there and have a drink.  The space was so tiny that I was pushed up against a chair/table...thank goodness no one was actually sitting at that particular  table.  We asked if we could be seated as the birthday girl was arriving in 15 minutes.  We were told by one of the waitresses that this was not possible because less than half of our party was in attendance at that exact moment.  We tried to explain the situation regarding the surprise, but still nothing.  Eventually, they gave in and finally seated us.  Upon sitting, the others started rolling in and we were all seated before the birthday girl arrived.  

    The tables are cramped!!!  You are literally pushed up against the people at your neighboring tables and getting out to go to the restroom is next to impossible.  

    However, that is where the complaints end.  The food was so good!!!  I opted to get the Chilean sea bass.  It was so buttery.  Most restaurants overcook their fish, but this fish was perfect!!!  Most of the table ordered a pasta dish.  The servings of pasta are ginormous!!!  Everyone had left overs.  

    The manager was so friendly to us.  Shot after shot was delivered to our table and he made sure the birthday girl did all of hers.  The waitstaff was awesome and very attentive.  

    We will definitely be coming back.  However, I think we will venture in during the week for an early dinner to avoid some of the crowd.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/17/2013

    Went here last night for dinner and the place was packed at 6:00 pm. on a Monday.  I went with the reviews and Yelp and ordered the specials which were the grilled calamari and the Sinatra special.  Both were really good, and very rich.  The service was fine, I felt a little rushed but they were busy.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/15/2012

    Authentic and amazing Italian food! Even my late Sicilian/Italian grandpa approved. It is very noisy in here but I chalk it up to the experience. Tables are very close together but it never bothers me.

    Our table of 5 split the grilled octopus (amaze!!), eggplant (my personal favorite), peppers, pasta & fagiole soup (I love this and I am not the biggest fan of soup), fettuccine alfredo (extremely heavy but worth every bite you can muster), and the Chilean sea bass.

    Notice the theme here....EVERYTHING is great!

    *Note - the Chilean sea bass at La Scarola is THE BEST. If I only could only eat one thing here, this would be it! Do yourself a favor a go try it. Rich, buttery, and melts in your mouth.

    Overall, despite, the noise ( loud Italians rule anyway lol), lack of seating, and wait time... it is all worth it for the fantastic food, wonderful service, and a fabulous eating  experience.

    Can't wait to go back in a month for my birthday! Manga manga!

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/21/2012
    1 check-in

    I came here and had a fantastic time!! And I don't know if I can truly say that about a restaurant experience I've had. It's not a perfect restaurant by far, but it DEFINITELY has character!!!

    Here's why:
    We came on a Friday Night, so it was busy. We had reservations, came on time and ended up waiting much longer than that. The host/owner/busboy(?) did tell us several times to keep waiting. He also told us it was his birthday. Lol - apparently it's his birthday every night. When we finally sat down, the busboy/owner/host gave us a free shot of tequila. In fact, a lot of people who sat down after waiting got a free shot of tequila! We got a bunch of random stuff for free that night.

    Our server was pretty cool. Attentive and accommodating at some parts, and definitely ignored us to take care of other customers at others, but we were having a good enough time not to really care. The food was great! We tried the grilled calamari, the chicken vesuvio with pasta, and something else I can't remember, they were all good. Portions are pretty big!! We didn't have enough room in our stomachs to try the Tiramisu... :(

    I've heard friends go on weekdays and have OK experiences. This by far was just about the most hilarious dining experience I've ever had. Apparently, it's this owner/busboy/server's birthday every day, and he regularly gets customers free shots if they wait a long time. Also, if you're a regular or an insider, you get even better treatment. The bar next door probably makes a killing with all the people who wait to get into this restaurant.

    The layout is atypical and narrow. Apparently we got the worst seat in the house, but I don't think we really cared. It does get kind of loud, especially around their tiny little bar area (not a place where you can really wait and drink there, so check out the bar next door).

    This is one of those places that just has character. The food is good, the servers aren't pretentious at all, and it seems like everyone here is having a good time. I can't say it'll always be like this, but it's definitely worth the trip!

    TIPS:
    - Remind the host SEVERAL TIMES that you had reservations. That can sometimes help.Wish the host a happy birthday when you get a chance! That might help you more.
    - Try their Calamari. Grilled or fried.
    - Try their tiramisu. I wish we got to try it. I hear good things about it.
    - If you wait, there is a bar next door!

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/22/2014

    Dined here last night. We were in from Boston for the weekend.  This was probably my fifth time to La Scarola and each time it has been great.  Great old world decor and the waitstaff are so friendly and helpful.  We had a party of six that included one regular, but also my three-year-old son and were made to feel extremely welcome.  It was a Saturday night and I noticed several other families there as well.  The grilled calamari is the best I've ever had, and also the risotto was fantastic.  We got a variety of appetizers, entrées and desserts and everyone was very happy with their choices.    I'm a regular diner in the north end of Boston, and this is on par with the top places there.  The owner Armando is the best and stopped by several times to make sure we were well taken care of.   This will continue to be a must each time we visit Chicago.  Make sure you grab a pint at Emmitts before dinner.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/5/2012

    Hands down, my favorite place to eat in Chicago. Don't be intimidated -- it is loud and crazy and makes me miss my big insane Italian family.

    The grilled calamari with balsamic vinegar is amazing. Cooked perfectly, never rubbery.

    I usually order off of the specials menu, or I just ask my server what's good.  I always try something new and I have enjoyed every bite of food I have eaten here. My boyfriend always gets the pasta with clams and it is so, so good.

    Get a reservation as it can get crazy!

  • 3.0 star rating
    7/13/2012

    Great food, inconsistent pricing, meh atmosphere.

    My party was seated in the front room of La Scarola and I felt a bit like I was at an Edwardos, with the cash register in plain view for everyone to see. Oh how I longed to be in the other room! Which, in hindsight, was only slightly better.

    Most of my group found the food to be exceptional. The olive oil on the table seemed to be a high quality, and I loved my vodka pasta - the sauce was delicious and the shrimp were massive. The tiramisu was done perfectly as well. The only one who wasn't happy was my husband, who had ordered the whitefish. "Bland and bony," he said. But he blames himself for the choice of entrée more than the restaurant's preparation, and a few days passed before the "Why, why did I order whitefish at an Italian restaurant? What was I thinking?!" comments ceased.

    For prices - my pasta was over $20, whereas a salmon filet entree was cheaper. I don't really understand the pricing at La Scarola. It makes sense to me now why some reviewers consider it a steal and others say it is overpriced.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/8/2012
    Listed in Hidden Gem

    I had a wonderful time here. La Scarola did well by me from service to food to decor.

    I walked in to be greeted by a waiter who warmly welcomed our party of three. Instead of having us wait he immediately took us to the bar and welcomed us to drinks. The bar is smack center of the crowded restaurant. This is ingenious. Not only do we get to enjoy drinks, but we get to see dishes swish on by and interact with staff. Staff is very very friendly. Manager came out to dance and entertain us.

    Positive:
    - Decor. The walls are covered with pictures and decoration of people and of the city. Some may consider this a bit "rowdy," but I consider it quite tasteful. 80% of people that see the decoration will love it.
    - Service. Magnificent. The manager even treated us to free shots of tequila. Tequila was very smooth and very good.
    - Food. We ate our food - family style.We got the:
        Chilean Sea Bass ($32~) - excellent, excellent dish. even the waitress said this was her favorite.
        Pasta Lorenzo ($24~) - bow-tie pasta with chicken and pasta in red sauce. it was amazing.
        Grilled Calamari ($10~) - well cooked and delicious.
        Chicken Vesuvio ($16~) - tender and delicious chicken. i especially enjoyed the sauce.

    Negative:
    - Price? Very expensive place.
    - I hate sounding biased...but seriously, there's nothing else I can think of. The night was wonderful, the food was amazing. I had a great time here.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/1/2014
    Listed in My Chi Faves

    This might be the best authentic Italian I've had in Chicago - the real deal. The calamari was perfect, my linguine with clams was fresh and delicious, and the chicken parm was cooked perfectly. I highly recommend this joint!

  • 1.0 star rating
    7/11/2013

    Growing up in Chicago, I would have to say that my worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant was at La Scarola.

    I just walked out of your restaurant after spending an hour and a half of horrible service.

    My boyfriend and I arrived at 6:45pm tonight (Thursday, July 11) and waited at the bar for a table. At 7pm we were seated. At 7:15pm we placed our order. In the meantime, next to us was sat 2 separate two tops. At 7:45pm we asked were our food was and our server said it would be right out. At this time the tables next to us that ordered after us had all received their dinners. At 8pm our food finally came out and was cold. The manager knew we were upset and immediately came over.  We explained what happened and he said he would take care of it and to give him 5min. The waiter blamed the cold food on the kitchen (typical response). At 8:15pm... still nothing. At 8:20pm, we got up and left.

    My boyfriend and I both work in the industry, he works as a Chef in corporate dining and I work for a large hotel chain and both know that service like this is unacceptable.

    Thank you for wasting our Thursday night. Your feedback is appreciated.

    If there was a half of star option, this would be less than that.

    For all of the YELP readers, there are many other phenomenal Italian restaurants on Taylor Street. I would know as my family was born and raised in Naples, Italy.

  • 3.0 star rating
    1/25/2013

    First visit but did not quite live up to expectations. Food was good but not awesome.
    Very cramped but good vibe. My customers liked it. Bread was a bit disappointing - cold. I'll go back and give them another try.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/15/2013 Updated review
    12 check-ins

    My wife and I dine here at least 1 time a month.  It is the most consistently excellent restaurant in every way. Want excellent food with the best ingredients served by professional wait staff-go to La Scarola.  Want to be greeted because they genuinely enjoy having you-go to La Scarola.  Want to feel that you got more than what you paid-go to La Scarola.

    5.0 star rating
    10/28/2012 Previous review
    Consistent quality combined with superior service. Still my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago.… Read more
    5.0 star rating
    1/13/2012 Previous review
    A quick update and recommendation.  Have noticed that it has become much easier to get a reservation… Read more
    5.0 star rating
    5/16/2010 Previous review
    A quick update.  Had reservations for this past Saturday night and changed it not once but three… Read more
    5.0 star rating
    1/6/2010 Previous review
    Moved to the neighborhood in November and have enjoyed on 5 occcasions.  Love the food, appreciate… Read more
  • 5.0 star rating
    10/9/2012

    One of the best Italian Restaurants in Chicago.  It's mainly a local hangout so don't
    expect the nonsense you get in the Loop establishments.  Amando is the best in
    running the machine and every time we eat at La Scarola, it gets better.  Highly
    recommend and the meatballs are like Aunt Stella used to make in Brooklyn.
    Lefty

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/26/2011
    2 check-ins

    In the mood for some great Italian food? Look no further. We stumbled upon this place on a whim and called 30 mins ahead and they were able to get us in on a busy saturday night. As soon as you walk into the restaurant you can tell it's good, why you ask? because it's packed full of people and everyone is seemingly loving their meals. I've been to La Scarola a few times now, and have not yet had a less than great dish yet. The grilled octopus is AMAZING, definitely worth the trip on its own right. The specials menu is ever changing, but pretty much all the pastas I've tried have been great. The entrees I've had include rabbit, duck breast, and chilean seabass; and they were all amazing in their own rights.
    Do yourself a favor and drop by this place, you won't regret it.
    Almost forgot to mention desert, the Tiramisu is to die for here, your taste buds will thank you for trying it.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/23/2009

    It's been a long time since I've been in an Italian place with this much character. I think some reviewers consider it cramped, I thought it was perfect. A packed Italian restaurant with great atmosphere and where specials on handwritten/photocopied and inserted in the menu (pic included). The walls are covered with photos, bottles, art and relics.

    Server made excellent recommendations and I had him order my entree for me - ended up getting an excellent veal dish not even on the menu. I highly recommend the escarole and sausage app (recommended by the server), mussels in red sauce and the grilled octopus (all of these were off of the specials menu.) The minestrone was excellent and I also got to try  some of the Pasta Capriccio which was really good. The only thing I had which I wouldn't recommend was the Canolli not because it was bad, but because it was just ok.

    I highly recommend checking this place out and look forward to coming back at some point to explore more of the menu.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/24/2011

    This is a great place for a second date for the following reasons:

    1. decent price - your date will not be going on date three with you for your wild display of having bank, but he/she will also not be ignoring all future calls from you because you refuse to pay over $5 for a good meal.

    2. great atmosphere - dimly lit ambience not in a stuffy way.  The walls are lined with old-school photographs and posters that serve as awesome conversation pieces like "what the heck? why is that there?"  I mean that in the best way possible.  My curiosity was definitely whetted by the eclectic decoration.

    3. solid service

    4. wow-in-your-mouth pasta and non-frou-frou wine selection

    I ate here by myself during a work trip to Chicago.  La Scarola is an easy walk from the Grand station on the blue line.  I had a glass of wine and the capellini fra diavolo.  Capellini is not the easiest pasta to cook, but this place times it just right.  The sauce had a slightly homey-burnt taste.  If I had an Italian grandmother, I'd imagine that's how her diavolo sauce would taste.

    I did a little over $30 of damage, so it's definitely not the cheapest dinner spot, but the price was totally worth the authentic, awesome Italian served here.  Highly recommend!

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/1/2013
    1 check-in

    La Scarola came highly recommended from a friend and it did not disappoint.  Lots of flavor, enormous portions and everything else in between.  Come hungry, come often.

  • 2.0 star rating
    1/19/2014

    The food is very good; not the best Italian food in town, but very good. However, they consistently overbook reservations and I've never gotten a table on time. To makes matters worse, the front of the house staff that "greets you" is the most rude I've ever seen. They act like you're bothering them by coming in. If its not crazy busy they tell you to stand at the world's smallest bar where you are in everyone's way. If they are overbooked beyond belief, they tell you to go next door to Richard's Bar and come back in 15 minutes. When you do as told and return, they act like they don't know what you're talking about. And act like a**holes to boot. Admittedly, we were 15 minutes late thanks to snow and traffic, and the guy had the balls to say so when explaining why we'd have to wait an hour and a half more. When I asked if we were going to argue about such BS, he walked away.  Several people, even those seated already, heard it and came up to me to say they experience the same crappy treatment. The bartender did too and have us a free lemoncello. Once we sat down the waiter we had was as nice as can be. Still, this is the fourth or fifth time I've been here and had the same lousy experience upon arrival. I'm not going back. Ever. The owner needs to get a hostess or straighten his front of the house wait staff out. So I give it a 4 for food and a 1 for service.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/15/2012

    Back in Chicago after being away for 7 years, I knew that I had to have dinner at La Scarola.  It did not disappoint - and even won over my friends who have never been.  This is Chicago's best kept secret!

    While we had reservations at 8:30pm, we didn't get seated until 9:30pm.  And then service took a while because everything is made fresh!  BUT, all those who hadn't been there before, and who were starting to doubt my sanity, all agreed that it was worth it in the end.  

    Armando was fantastic - and kept in touch with us.  He even treated (and joined) us for tequila shots because we came from Texas.  We had Chicken Vesuvio, Clam White Sauce with Linguine, and Penne Vodka - we started with the Sausage and Peppers and the Grilled Calamari.  It was fantastic!  

    My advice - is get there early and have cocktails while you wait.  And check your patience at the door - it truly is worth it!

    Forgot to mention that the bartender and our waiter, Peter was fantastic!   Authentic service from great personalities!  Must be a great place to work to keep such good staff.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/20/2011

    È andato ieri sera qui per il mio son' il sedicesimo compleanno di s ed ha avuto un pranzo meraviglioso. L'alimento è sempre squisito ed amo il vero modo italiano in cui funzionano. L'alimento è un commercio serio. Ho ordinato il risotto, che era fantastico, benchè I don' broccolo di richiamo di t quando ho vissuto in Italia...

    Il mio figlio ha avuto il vesuvio del pollo ed assolutamente amato esso. Il posto è stato imballato da parete a parete ed il ronzio nel posto ritiene sempre solo di destra. Naturalmente, l'accumulazione della foto sulle pareti è divertimento da esaminare ed ancora, l'alimento, la I can' la t dice abbastanza circa l'alimento, molto buon, tradizionale (geralmente) e, sì, squisito.

    Dovreste andare! Mangi bene!

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/25/2012
    1 check-in

    Sixteen of us went there for dinner last Saturday, and we had a blast!
    We sampled a few of their appetizers, and they were all delicious!  I always gage a good Italian Restaurant by their Calamari, and let me tell you, whether you order it grilled or fried, you will not be disappointed...
    The menu is varied, and very representative of traditional Italian food, and they also have specials that changes on a weekly basis...
    The restaurant is a little tight and I would highly recommend making reservations, or you might be waiting for a while...
    All I can say is that if you like a good Italian fare, this is the place to go!

  • 1.0 star rating
    1/2/2014

    I dined at La Scarola last night with my boyfriend for a romantic date night and we were both highly disappointed.  We had a great greeting which turned south quickly.  The waiter (jack) kept coming by to see if we were ready to order (3 times in the first 5 minutes)..this was only the beginning of feeling rushed.  We ordered a bottle of wine and after every other sip, he would come over to refill our glasses which became really annoying, very quickly and rushed us through our bottle of wine.  As soon as we were done eating he was rushing to get us our check and boxes.  As we stood up to put our coats on, he wedged in between us to clear off our table and we hadn't even put our coats on.  If it were a Friday or Saturday night and there was a line of patrons out the door, I understand...but for it to be a Sunday night where there were empty tables and for our romantic dinner to push us in and out of the restaurant in under an hour--not so romantic.
    We were torn between going to La Scarola, Prosecco, Scoozi or Piccolo Sogno and we decided to go to La Scarola because our last experience there wasn't the best, so we decided to give it one last shot.  By the time we got in the cab, we looked at each other and both said we wished we had gone someplace else.  I don't think we will be re-visitng La Scarola for a very long time unfortunately.  I also emailed La Scarola to let them know about the experience two times prior to posting a bad review and I guess they just really don't care what their patrons think.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/14/2013
    1 check-in

    Delicious food in big portions.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/9/2013

    Business dinner here on Wednesday evening. Great atmosphere and staff and the food was excellent!  Had fried calamari and clams for starter and a chicken and shrimp pasta with red sauce. I can't remember the name of the entree, but it was excellent with a bit of a spiciness. I am looking forward to going back again and would definitely recommend.

  • 2.0 star rating
    1/27/2014

    Not too impressed. Like other reviewers have mentioned, the service can make you feel hurried or simply ignored. That's not unexpected for a very popular restaurant, but the food was the real disappointment. People say that Americans care more about quantity than quality when it comes to food, but La Scarola takes that motto to the extreme. I ordered the gnocchi del giorno and received a plate piled high with about 4 times as much food as one could reasonably be expected to eat in a single sitting. That wouldn't be so bad, because I'm all for bringing home leftovers, but this gnocchi wasn't even good to begin with. The sauce was way too garlicky, and the Italian sausage tasted and looked like the stuff you buy in the freezer section at Jewel. After a few bites of my leftovers the next day, I was just as much disappointed as before, so I decided to consign the rest to the trash bin and write this review. Frankly, there are much better Italian restaurants in Chicago that actually serve good, authentic Italian, and since I prefer to pay for quality over quantity, I don't foresee being back to La Scarola.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/25/2012

    Updating to include catering on my review... It was excellent! Got a ton of food for a family party. Literally a ton. Great quality and freshly prepared... Not that I would expect any less from Scarola. There's a chicken and shrimp pasta platter that is a must. Enjoy !

    Great spot, right outa Goodfellas.  Went with the family, and my bro-in-law knew the gentleman who ran the place.  We had a couple beers next door at Richard's waiting for a table.  Had a wonderful dinner, and did a shot (or 2) with our new friend.  If you're looking for a quiet dinner somewhere, this is not the place to go.  It's very loud.  It's very Italian.  It's very fun... enjoy!

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/21/2014

    The most delicious Italian food in the city - without a doubt.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/24/2011
    1 check-in

    Service is here is great!
    The food was ok, I guess better for people who like seafood, which I do not.
    The server was nice enough to have the kitchen whip up some gnocchi which was not on the menu.
    Seating is a little tight which I usually don't mind but there was a couple waiting for a table who were an inch from us arguing about not having a table. Very uncomfortable, they should have stopped crying about and made some reservations like everyone else !

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/14/2012
    1 check-in

    The food here is very, very good. Authentic and fresh with excellent flavors. E menu is handwritten, so you know that you are getting something that the chef has fresh and available for that day.

    The reason for the 3 stars is unfortunately, like many of the other reviews stated,, they don't honor your reservations! It was a good hour after ours before we were sat down to eat. I dont know if I'd go so far as to say they're in cahoots with the bars around there, maybe just too slow of service and food preparation to have an actual idea of timeframes. I think it saves them that there are 3 bars close, otherwise most of us wouldn't wait out in the street for them to get their ish together.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/9/2012

    This is a very late review. My girls and I went for dinner here in May for my bday. The restaurant is next to a Sopranoish type dive bar next door were the men were sitting on lawn chairs outside.

    The restaurant did not spend any money on decor. Fake foilage, dark lighting and old pictures line the walls. Let me tell you..they spare no expense on quality ingredients and make a killer Italian margarita( who knew such a thing existed) The bartender made it just for my bday( or so he said...)

    We ordered:
    1) Grilled Octopus. It was so freakin good! In a weird I'm eating tentacles and sucky cup thingies kinda way. Very tender and seasoned lightly and well. Marinade I think.

    2) Pasta with vodka sauce.. Good but my friend had to get extra sausage and cheese.

    3) Bistecca Alla Zorich. Filet mignon, black peppercorns on sliced fried potatoes. Arugula and shaved Parmesan cheese. You must try it.. You have to try it. Only thing it was a little oily at the bottom but still a great dish. Get it medium rare.

    4)Capelini Fra diavolo. Usually comes with shrimp but they made it with lobster that day. So good!

    5) Pollo Italiano. So flavorful and delicious.

    6) Pasta Lorenzo..not so good

    Cappacino and tiramisu completed our dinner. We all had major leftovers to take home. Too bad I didn't have any the next day...the Bfriendtook care of that!

    I have to say we closed the place d/t a very long winded conversation we were having. The staff were very patient but pretty much pushed us out the door when we were leaving. It was all good though..I think we wore out our welcome!  

    Not too expensive for great food. Owner came out and spoke to everyone, wait staff was attentive too. Great date restaurant!

  • 2.0 star rating
    4/1/2012
    1 check-in

    Great food...bad service.

    Had reservations....made us wait more than half an hour in the smoky bar next door.  So gross.  

    We ordered drinks, apps, entrees, and dessert.  We weren't even finished eating our dessert and were asked by the staff, "you've had enough time to finish your meal."

    We were all dumbfounded.  I have never had this ever happen.  The manager apologized and tried to get us to join him at the bar for a drink, but the damage had already been done.  

    Like I said.  Great food.  But poor service. I realize they run a busy show, but I will probably not be running back there to eat.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/21/2010

    Keep a knockin', but you can't come in...as the song goes. After having our reservation for our big group pushed back to almost an hour and after checking in a couple times while getting drinks next door, we almost lost hope of this place. Then we had the "a-ha" moment = our table was ready. Ahhhh-haaaaa (what, were you thinking the 80's band?).

    Our waitress was pretty bad-ass the entire evening. While we were getting situated with our table, she handed out the menus and took our drink order. Then she came back with our drinks and got down to business - our food. Her recommendations for appetizers were right on par: grilled calamari and sausage and peppers. As much as I didn't want to spoil my dinner with appetizers and bread, I couldn't help fill up on them. (Note to self for next time: skip the appetizer and/or bread...if I can resist).

    I ordered the pollo Italiano: chicken breasts, garlic, eggplant, tomatoes, roasted sausage, escarole in a light wine sauce, and melted fresh mozzarella on top. I had intentions of getting some sort of pasta dish, but this sounded better. And it was. The entire group loved what they had, but we barely finished our meals. There was so much of everything. It almost looked like we didn't make a dent in each of our dishes, but trust me we did. I had enough leftover for lunch and dinner the next day.

    In addition to our waitress, the other employees were great. Because it was a birthday dinner, they even brought out a surprise cake for all of us to enjoy. I don't know how I didn't pass out in a food coma at the table right then and there. I can say it was very difficult to get up to leave without falling over.

  • 3.0 star rating
    9/23/2010 Updated review

    I still am not knocked off my feet by La Scarola.

    The grilled octopus was not good at all. It was tough and tasteless. I had the spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce (totally fell off my food wagon for this meal), it was ok. The meatballs weren't all that good. The marinara was good though.

    I don't mind busy restaurants, but trying to cram 100 people in a room that fits 50 is not my idea of a good time. I'd rather pay more for my meal and have 2 less tables in the room than have to climb over people to get from the door to my table.  Being smooshed in the corner in front of the cash register is not how I like to spend a dinner with friends.

    1.0 star rating
    4/14/2009 Previous review
    So disappointed!! Been told by family for years how good La Scarola is and we finally made the time… Read more
La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Daniel Y. said "Yes, you can get good BBQ at a pizza place. Who would have thunk it? The wait staff and owner are incredibly nice and were…" read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    4/17/2014

    Great food...great original atmosphere.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/3/2010

    I can't believe I've waited all of these years (10?) to go to La Scarola.  Shame on me!  :(

    It's everything I had imagined....and more.  I had the best seafood risotto EVER.  It was perfectly cooked, creamy, and literally melted in my mouth...and was loaded with mussels, scallops, shrimp, clams, etc.  I also had the best meatball EVER (thanks, Armando!) -- it was the largest meatball I've ever seen and covered with their homemade marinara sauce.

    Anyway, no need to say more.  Everyone and their mother is in love with this place and for very obvious reasons.  It's simply the best!

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/3/2013

    I would give this place 4.5 stars... but since yelp doesn't let me do halfs... La Scarola gets 4. I really really liked this place! It is not the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to...  but definitely the best in Chicago. We made a reservation, but after seeing all the reviews about how people had to wait a long time for their table, I was bracing for the worst. Fortunately, we were seated only 10 minutes after our reservation!

    Food - Calamari appetizer was good... All the portions are large so you are definitely full by the time you leave. I had the clams pasta for my main course and it was delicious!! The pasta was cooked just right and had a perfect balance of salt, garlic, and butter. The garlic flavor was strong, but not overpowering. I had the cannoli for dessert and it was... decent.

    Service - Our waiter did not speak English very well... but we managed to communicate just fine. He didn't come off as very friendly, but he got the job done.

    Ambiance - The restaurant was super busy and it was very cramped... but as long as I don't have people bumping into me while I'm eating, I'm good. It was loud, but you could still hear people talk, which is the most important.

    Overall, I loved this place! If you're still looking for a great Italian restaurant in the city, definitely go try this place out.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/6/2010

    I have some good friends who live in the West Loop. I live in East Lakeview. As a result, to get to them, I have traveled past La Scarola approx. 2839r56 times. I never thought to go there because 1.) the intersection makes my teeth itch; 2.) I already have a go-to Italian spot closer to me; and 3.) the intersection makes my teeth itch. Well, one of my colleagues was in town and he was all about La Scarola. Since he was a guest, I went against my instincts and joined him for a meal here.

    SO glad I did. First of all, parking wasn't as bad as I feared. Since I might become a regular, you'll understand that I won't share my parking secrets but, rest assured, parking is doable. Yay. I walked in and... no buddy. I felt like all eyes turned to me as I entered the place but not in a 'Halsa Hair?' sort of way. I was momentarily uncomfortable. Then, I was seated at the smallest, most uncomfortable in-the-way table ever. This is not starting well. My buddy arrived and his affable nature lead us to an easy table shift. Crisis averted. Blessed with mucho space to spread out, eat, catch up and do some work (I'm the hardest working man in showbiz), I was in a greatly improved state of mind.

    We started with the bruschetta which was fine. It didn't knock my socks off, but it did the job: bread, tomatoes, oil, cheese... you know the drill. Good. I sipped on my tonic and lime, traded war stories, helped put together a way-awesome presentation and waited for my entree. I knew I chose well and that feeling was rewarded when the plate was set in front of me. I ordered the Pollo alla Pasquinelli and it was fantastic -- two plump chicken breasts, topped with prosciutto, gorgonzola and veggies (onions, artichokes, tomatoes, and giardinera). It was succulent, hot, filling, and not what I was anticipating. I came here expecting to get a run-of-the-mill pasta dish. I was pleasantly surprised. Since it's not a meal without dessert, I finished up with chocolate mousse cake. Gelato or lemon ice probably would have gone with my meal better...but I am a sucker for chocolate.

    After I was re-seated from my kindergarten table, I was able to appreciate the mood of the place. Armando's a pretty cool fellow and he roamed all three rooms to check on the diners, make sure that all was well and see if he could improve the experience in any way. If he doesn't enjoy what he does, he's a d@mn good actor. He offered me and my buddy a tequilla shot for the road but I was driving, so I passed. My buddy did the shot and woke up in TJ. Tequilla at an Italian restaurant... who knew? You made a believer out of me, La Scarola. I'll be back for more Italian delights. Just make sure to sit me at a properly-sized table, mmkay?

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/15/2012

    Since this place is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, we ended up going here on a Saturday night.  We had reservations at 8pm, but they made us wait more than half an hour outside the restaurant, which was disappointing.

    Walking into La Scarola can be a little overwhelming...the place is packed and pretty loud.  We were able to get a nice corner table in the second dining room which was next to a wall filled with photos.  Be prepared to talk loudly to the people you're dining with.  You can dress up and fit in. You can dress down and fit in.

    Our waiter wasn't particularly friendly/informative/approachable, and simply took our order when we were ready.  We were served bread to start, which was pretty boring (and not warm!) but held us while we waited for the rest of our food.

    The food was delicious, bf ordered crabs and I went with the house special eggplant parmigiana.  The portions were big, I ended up getting left overs to save some space for my dessert.  The dessert was the best part, we had Tiramisu, and it is definitely out of this world.  

    On our way out, the owner greeted us and offered us shots on the house with him, he memorized our names and we exchanged a small talk, which sealed the deal for us.   Overall, it was a unique experience and we left the restaurant with smiley faces!

  • 3.0 star rating
    7/10/2013

    Overall okay food. But what motivates me to write this review was the bread. You know Bread they put down on your table the minute you sit down, awful. It was stale. The crust was chewy. The bread was also cold. The meal was great, the opening with the bread was awfull.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/17/2013

    If you're looking for some authentic Italian restaurant where old time Chicagoans patronize, well, this is the place for you. Great family style food and always packed, even on a Monday night.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/18/2014

    An amazing neighborhood secret!! Stick with the daily specials (handwritten every day!). They are amazing dishes that you cant get every day, but you wish you could.  Yes, it is typically very crowded and a wait to get a table but it's well worth it.

  • 1.0 star rating
    12/15/2012

    I was there tonight for the first time,have been hearing about the food   .The place is cramped in every direction but the food was good .We had a very loud table behind us that made the evening very un pleasant but the worst part was that the owner approached our table and asked us to leave since they had other people waiting for our table .we got there at 7;30 we left at 9 .I am a manager at a major restaurant in chicago and I would never go back there .Plus I will make sure I will tell friends not to go .
    the restaurant business is food and service .50/50.they go hand in hand.As an owner he should be ashamed .

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/4/2013

    I try new restaurants constantly in the city. There are plenty of places with phenomenal food. Not one restaurant will ever compare to the amazing ambiance, food, and staff at La Scarola.
    I have completely fell in love with this place.
    We did have a slight wait and we had made a reservation but the staff was more than attentive to us and our wait. They were doing whatever they could to get us sat as quickly as possible.
    We went to Richards which is equaling as great for a few drinks during our wait. Every single member of the staff said hi, asked how you were doing or even introduced themselves. When they sat us for dinner the food was to die for. I felt there were many other items I could have tried but I didn't want to over do it. We had the clams, sausage and peppers, and lasagna. Also some amazing wine to go with. Not once did we feel rushed throughout our dinner. This is not very common in most restaurants. There was a line out the door and I kept expecting to get rushed throughout our meal. We ate at our own pace, they brought us some coffee and continued next door. I'm completely in love with the people I met that night. I love to get to know the staff and have the feeling that they will remember you. Not sure if that is actually the case but they did a great job giving attention to each and every person in there restaurant. I will certainly go back. I plan to take as many people I can to this amazing restaurant.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/7/2013
    1 check-in

    Great spot for Italian in Chicago for low prices and good food. The place seemed very authentic and was slammed. Only thing I didn't like was having to wait 30+ minutes on top of our reservation. The staff was really nice though, and gave us free drinks to compensate. Try the grilled calamari and veal Marsala!

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/6/2014

    I catered my sister's baby shower from La Scarola today and it was outstanding! Everyone loved the food!  It came hot and portions were huge for a great price.  Highly recommend catering your event here! Thanks so much La Scarola!

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/20/2014

    The Best Italian Food I have ever had! I am an out of towner and this is the only place I die to go to in the city. Every item I've tried is absolutely perfect. The price, size, variety, and flavor cannot be beat. You must go here and order as much as you can, because trust me, you want to try everything!

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/18/2014
    1 check-in

    the bruchetta was to die for but the rest of the meal was just ok.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/21/2012

    My boyfriend and I had a great time at La Scarola last night.  We walked in without reservations on Saturday evening. They checked for an open table, but said they could seat us until 9pm.  We thanked them for trying, but we couldn't wait that long.  As soon as we said those words, the maitre d' stops me and tells me to wait.  He signals to a server to give us a table.  Niceness goes a long way!  It wasn't the best table in the house, but we got seated right away without reservations! The servers were also great and seemed to really enjoy working with each other.  

    Now onto the food.  I had a pasta dish with ground Italian sausage, black olives, spinach, and tomato vodka sauce.  My boyfriend had the meat lasagna.  We both also had a bowl of minestrone soup.  It was all very flavorful and beautiful looking.  The minestrone soup, in particular was a bowl of color, texture, and goodness.  It must have had about 20 different ingredients.  

    At the end of our dinner, I thanked the maitre d' again.  He turns around and orders a couple of tequila shots for us and one for him as well (I'm pretty sure his was water)! A great end to a great night.

    *P.S.  One of the waiters looks like Josh Brolin.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/30/2011

    We went here as a group for Valentines day.  Half the group was pretty late stuck in traffic.  Regardless the staff was super cordial and nice and booked us in a quaint table.  Very lovely place.  Smaller than usual but the food makes up for it.  The food is large enough to share as well.
    Enjoy some real italian cuisine in the city here anytime!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/3/2012

    This a wonderful cozy restaurant with a family feel and service. Try the Chilean Sea Bass....the best we have ever had...ANYWHERE! This is our new favorite restaurant while visiting Chicago.
    Stayed at the Ivy Hotel nearby (opened in June 2012) and had a wonderful experience. Booked it on Hotwire....first time. Great deal.
    Can't wait to return to Chicago. It's a great city:)

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/3/2013
    1 check-in

    Absolutely loved their food!

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/18/2012

    Good, authentic Italian. I had the penne pasta with shrimp in vodka sauce. The pasta was good and sauce incredible, however the shrimp were bland, no taste.

    They try to fit more ppl than they can into this place and it makes for a very tight squeeze and your chair being bumped into every 5 minutes. Service was just ok. Bunch of older guys trying to move fast, squeeze people here and there, yelling "excuse me honey" every few minutes.

    Not a fancy place but old school Italian restaurant with good food that is a bit overpriced.

    I gave the 4 stars mainly in the quality of food. Service, location and decor gets a 2 star from me. Depends what you're going for...

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/19/2012

    This place is a BLAST! Bomb food and amazing service.  The maître d' was so funny, I was laughing my whole dinner.  He kept saying it was his birthday so he gave everyone in the room shots of patron.  I felt like I was home with my Puerto Rican/Italian family having a reunion.  Since everyone sits close, we were very friendly with the table next to us.  It was such a great time.

    The atmosphere didn't overshadow the food. We started with the Shrimp Armani, and I proceeded to have the Pasta with Meatballs.  Let's just say, I dream about these dishes and frequently have cravings to go back to this place.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/17/2013

    Even with a reservation, we still had to wait 35 minutes for our table.  But with that wait, came a free bottle of wine, a shot (YES, a SHOT of whiskey), and a few appetizers for our group of four.  The meal wasn't exceptional but it was very good.  The atmosphere makes this place fun for families, guys night out, girls night out, or a date for an established couple. All of these groups were represented when we visited. It's loud and the team at La Scarola make you feel right at home, like you're part of the family, a very loud family.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/28/2013

    Quaint and comfortable. Authentic. Delicious.  Great value.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/12/2013

    Great place to go! Old school Italian joint. Great food, great service... interesting decor, to say the least.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/21/2012

    One of the most unique restaurants I've been to... It's loud.  It's crowded.  It's energetic.  It's romantic.  It's homey.

    You can dress up and fit in.  You can dress down and fit in.

    Be prepared to talk loudly to the people you're dining with; no place for a sleeping baby.
    Be prepared to sit a foot away from the table next to you; hello stranger!
    Be prepared to take shots on the house with the owner; taxi!

    The layout of the restaurant is bizarre.  
    The food is awesome!  Grilled calamari - ohh baby!  Cheese Raviolis alla Forno - mm mm mmm!

    Service was great; he memorized our names which was impressive.  Great place to go with friends.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/22/2010

    Mama likes. Actually, La Scarola, Mama La-La-Loves!

    I'd like to send a personal shout out to Adam T. and Sarah S. for personally recommending this spot to me last week. If there's one thing I take seriously, it's word of mouth reviews and Adam and Sarah definitely know what's up.

    I made reservations for 4 at 9:30 on Friday night and upon walking in we were greeted like family by the owner. (Who said we were late while dramatically throwing his hands in the air -- we were right on time actually and he was just messing with us...)  We waited about 5 minutes for them to turn a table and we were all seated.

    I'd also like to point out that at a fairly late hour this place was bumpin. Not elbows touching, cramped kind of bumpin, but this was clearly the place to be.

    So the menu changes everyday and get this, it's freaking handwritten. There's nothing I love more than the written word, yes that love even trumps pasta. See my pictures!

    We started with an order of bruschetta and calamari - absolutely heavenly. I ordered the Pasta Lorenzo (after eyeballing the dish at a nearby table) and it was spicy, hearty and everything I want and crave in an Italian dish. It came with bowtie pasta and generous, plump shrimp and pieces of chicken. Did I mention that one portion feeds a family? Okay, maybe not a family but it definitely was enough to amount to three separate meals. (I know because that's how many times it took me to finish it).

    What I love love love though was that my glass of water never went empty. Actually it never went less than half way -- the servers are very attentive!

    For dessert, (the most important part of any meal) I ordered the canolli and you know what, if you're still reading this review wondering how the dessert turned out you're a hotmess. Stop reading this review and get over to La Scarola ASAP.

    If you need to know, the canolli was fantastic ;) DUH.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/31/2011

    You already knew about Carnivale and Richard's being great party venues in River West, right?  Well, go ahead and tack on La Scarola to the list.  

    The only thing La Scarola doesn't have that Carnivale and Richard's have is a dance floor.  And you will want to dance as a result of dining at La Scarola.  You'll just have to go next door afterward to do so.  Sorry.  Not that I'm going to dance, but I have and just might.

    I took someone's Pretty Little Sister to La Scarola for her 29th* birthday.  Okay, so she's not 29.  But according to the drunk Sox fan at O'Brien's in June, she looked 28 and I looked 34.  We obviously liked that guy.  And we've run with this ever since then.

    Anyway, what's not to like about La Scarola?  It's a loud, celebratory, party atmosphere.  Lose the attitude and immerse yourself in it, and you'll have a great time.  We pre-gamed and got a great table that was about as private as you could get, so we were already in the right frame of mind to have a great time.  And have a great time we did over bruschetta (get this!), pasta, vino and Peroni.  

    And then we danced it off later next door at Richard's.  

    Go.  Pre-game.  Drink at the little bar.  Eat.  Eat some more.  Drink.  Drink some more.  And then go to Richard's next door, drink more and smoke 'em if you have 'em.

    Five stars.

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/26/2011

    I had high hopes going in after multiple people who actually know food told me it was good. Certainly not a must visit of chicago. What can i say - busy, popular, loud, wait staff with an attitude, reservations recommended, won't let you sit before your full party is there, large space but somehow sitting very close to one another...great food - not so much. Valet was $4.50 which wow is that the cheapest valet i've seen. The decor is busy and it doesn't remind me of italy, more like the italian restaurants of staten island, ny. Portions are large though presentation is nothing special. Wine selection is limited and i don't think the food tasted particularly authentic, it was fine but not over the top. For the price i suppose it is worth a stop if you want italian but don't think it is any better than a good value.

    We had minestrone soup (no flavor), house salad (basic), shrimp armani (this was good), calamari (had a little kick), chilean sea bass special (huge portion), pasta giorno special (sauce wasn't very good but lots of scallop, shrimp, etc, they didn't cheat you on the ingredients), Pollo alla Pasquinelli (nothing great but also nothing wrong)

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/5/2013

    Very friendly staff. Calamari is some of the best calamari I've had! Big portions of food. Really enjoyed my spicy pasta.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/1/2010
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    It's just interesting to walk in and see the wall of fame! Just picture after picture of celebrities covering the walls. Hmmm how can I get a framed picture on that wall? Do I look like any famous entertainer?

    One time this little plump kid came up to me and said I looked like Enrique Iglesias. I don't look anything like Enrique, but little plump kid, you made my day. If there was a bakery around the corner, I would have bought you a whole cake for being so adorable.

    Well, one of these days, La Scarola, I will be up on that wall. If I don't become the next Dr. Oz or doctor turned comedian (Ken Jeong from "Hangover"), then I will bring a nail, a hammer, and framed picture and place myself between Nick Cage and Morgan Freeman.

    Anyway, the chicken angelo did not wow me. But the salmon Mondelli and risotto was cooked to perfection. I haven't had much Italian in the city, but La Scarola is my fave now.

  • 3.0 star rating
    6/20/2013

    Just didn't love it.  Italian food is my absolute favorite and I have experienced a lot of really good restaurants.  That being said,I would classify this entire experience as just OK. My macaroni arrabiata was very good , wine list nothing special, also not wowed by the fried zucchini as an appetizer.  I would go back here , but most likely for a late night take out meal, rather than actually sit down.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/6/2014 Updated review

    STILL.......Top of the line Italian!!!
    Went to this place during Holidays. (AGAIN)
    (Drove down from St. Paul JUST to go to this place!)
    The Steak Vesuvio is simply to die for, as was the Italian house salad w/vinaigrette..
    The bread is top notch as is the stellar service.
    The décor is extremely nice. (unlike the exterior of this Ristorante.)
    First bite, and you'll forget all about the exterior of the Bldg.
    These guys are the REAL DEAL in quality Italian fare.
    If a 'drive-by' occurs during dinner,....duck.
    It's STILL worth your time & surprisingly small amount of cash, given the quality.
    My steak was as tender as a baby's ass. The bread melts in your mouth.
    Simply amazing!
    There are hundreds of better looking restaurants in Chicago. If you're concerned with image, go somewhere else.
    If you want a meal you will NEVER forget,
    Head on down to LaScarola's!
    You will NOT regret I asked you to try this place!
    Richard's Bar next door is also a delightful step into the past music of Italian singers.
    Sinatra, Martin, etc. A great Bar!

    5.0 star rating
    9/29/2008 Previous review
    Take extra napkins with you; so when you drool, you won't look like a pig!

    We have NOT had a finer…
    Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    6/13/2012

    A MUST EXPERIENCE! Ambience, food and service are great. Like one yelper mentioned you can dress up or dress down and fit in. I absolutely love the framed photo walls in the main dining hall as it feels 100% italian.

    To get the best out of your experience, go when it is packed. I've been here twice and it wasn't the same when it was just our table. Get the MUSSELS and CALAMARI, they are moist and delectable. This place is great because not all dishes are pasta heavy, which means you leave feeling lighter than other italian restaurants in the city. Ciao!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/23/2012
    2 check-ins

    Delicious food and the service was great. The grilled calamari was the best i ever had  and the rest of the fishes we ordered were great. Bob, Our waiter, was awesome, really friendly and fast. Armando, the owner came to our table to ask how everything was and spent a few minutes talking to us, and then said dessert was on him. I will definitely recommend this place to everyone and will be back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/1/2010 Updated review

    La Scarola has finally proven to me that it can deliver on it's promise of great Italian food in a fun, upbeat environment.

    Went back here the other night and had a great experience. We were a bit late for our reservation (blame Richard's next door- we just couldn't leave the jukebox!) so we stood at the bar while waiting for a table. The manager came by and bought us a couple of shots (nice touch) and since we were in no hurry- we waited until the perfect table became available.

    We started with the grilled calamari (always delicious) and for our entrees split the Chilean sea bass special (one of the best I've had served over spinach) and a pasta special with shrimp, mussels and scallops(rich but oh so good!)

    Cozy but a little crowded for me to give it 5 stars, La Scarola is a great suggestion for a fun night out. Oh . . and don't miss stopping into Richard's next door either before or after. It will double your fun for sure!

    4.0 star rating
    11/30/2008 Previous review
    OK. So maybe three time's the charm. It has taken me three visits to finally get this place above my… Read more
    2.0 star rating
    11/13/2007 Previous review
    I don't get it.  Everyone raves about this place as the best place for Italian in the city.

    La…
    Read more
  • 2.0 star rating
    12/29/2011
    1 check-in
    Listed in No, no no!

    I just don't understand the hype.

    Maybe being a gluten-free diner doesn't help me appreciate the food here.

    First of all, they pack you in here like sardines. It's hot, stuffy, and I felt too close to everybody. Also, my group of friends and I were supposed to be seated at 8pm; we weren't seated until almost 9:45. On the plus side, the staff that work there were really nice to us. We got free shots of Limoncello and free appetizers for waiting, but it just wasn't enough.

    Originally, our group of friends decided to go here because La Scarola was going to offer the gluten-free diners gluten-free pasta. Our server that was waiting on us didn't know anything about the gluten-free pasta, so my other gluten-free girlfriends and I were told to order something from the menu. He then came back and confirmed there was gluten-free pasta, and the food I had ordered was not gluten-free Yikes!. We couldn't order from the menu, so we had to quickly make up our meal. That really frustrates me because I want food from the menu. I get so irritated when I am forced to make up my dinner, and the server rushed me. The chef there should be able to come up with something delicious for me. Anyway, enough of my ranting. The food came out bland. I've had better pasta in Disney World.

    Also, dessert wasn't enjoyable because all the desserts were cakes. The wine was delicious though.

    Overall, I'm not going to waste my time coming back here. All you gluten eaters, enjoy the food. I heard it's pretty good.

  • 1.0 star rating
    1/21/2014

    Ordered delivery with wide range of food (pasta, apps, salad, dessert) and nothing was impressive. Wouldn't go back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/27/2013
    2 check-ins

    Grilled octopus and calamari were amazing.  Also, the veal parmesan was the best I've ever had.  Not sure why I never came here before but I will definitely be coming back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/5/2013

    Came here for an Italian dinner with coworkers. Let me tell you, the service is top notch!

    We were started off with some fresh bread and high quality olive oil while we waited for the Fried Calamari. Found the portion to be a bit on the small side, but the waiter brought us lots of tomato sauce when requested, as we did not feel like going for the seafood sauce provided.

    For dinner, a few ordered sausage with shrimp, meatballs, etc. I know, because my entree came out nearly 10 minutes after everyone else! Luckily, my table shared with me so I did not have to suffer. However, when the Vitello Di Franco (breaded veal scallopini, fried in olive oil, finished in oven with asparagus, garlic, tomatoes, arugula and roasted imported provolone, served with a side of risotto) came out, it was phenomenal! It was weird that the side of risotto came out about 5 minutes after my entree. In either case, there was plenty of food left to become my breakfast the next day. The waiter was nice enough to provide us with 3 different deserts to share on the house due to my entree being so late coming out. We were quite happy with that, and I am sure the excellent wine we chose kept us in good spirits (no pun intended) as well. The waiter also gave us extra bread with dinner, upon request. Oh yeah, water service was also excellent.

    Highly recommend this place. Great food and great service.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/24/2013

    Grilled octupus is awesome

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/19/2010

    My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday.  Not knowing what to expect, I was greeted by the most old-school Italian joint in the city.  That was pretty awesome.

    Service was scant, but the place was packed.  Our grilled calamari was delicious!  So good.

    I had a pasta Diavolo dish which was tasty, and the portion was so huge, I couldn't even contemplate getting dessert, which is sad because it was my birthday, but my own damn fault for gorging on pasta!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    2/26/2012
    1 check-in

    As my Yelp friends know, I am eating my way through Chicago's Italian restaurants. I am a sucker for an old-school, peasant-style Italian place. I drive by this place everyday going to work and have never thought twice about stopping in. A friend brought me here on a Friday night and boom, it was heaven. I, of course, had the chicken parm and it was stop on. Lightly breaded, juicy and the red sauce popped. The serving lasted me into lunch the next day and enough for my wife.

    The manager and people that work there are great; lots of personality, accommodating and friendly. Highly recommend a visit to La Scarola.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/28/2012

    My parents, husband and I came here for a pre-theater dinner one Friday night. We looked around the theater district for restaurants, and found them very pricey. My mom found this restaurant from reviews online, and since it was only an El stop away from the theater district, we thought we'd check it out.

    We were advised to make a reservation, and are glad we did. They open at five for dinner, and when we left a little before six almost every table was packed. It is a very small restaurant- tables are close together and the walls are covered in photos of the owner with special guests. We saw photos with George Clooney, Jim Belushi, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, and a very young Robert Dinero!

    The restaurant gave the feel of a truly authentic Italian eatery, lots of couples, families and people eating alone.

    We only had entrees, as we couldn't take leftovers with us to the theater. The portions were huge though! I had the broccoli and goat cheese with rigatoni, shallots and olive oil. It was fantastic- rich and flavorful, with plenty of goat cheese. My husband had the ravioili al forno which he thoroughly enjoyed, my Dad the pasta vesuvio, and my Mom the risotto. Everything was delicious. We hope to come back!

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/4/2009 Updated review

    Yep, still my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. My husband is a big fan too. Even my parents beg to go here whenever they visit from Florida, which is typically in the summer since winter scares them.

    I usually order the salmon, but decided to try something new during last weekend's visit.  I'm feeling super adventurous these days. ;) Seabass for me and it was incredible! I'll be replacing the salmon with the seabass during my next few visits- it was THAT good. Husband opted for something new as well: the penne pesto pasta. It was so tasty that he refused to share the leftovers with me the next day. Nice, huh?  I was lucky enough to score a few tastes at our actual dinner and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had.

    While we were all for trying something new that night, we couldn't resist starting our meal with our favorite grilled calamari. You won't find better calamari in this city- I promise!

    The service is always great here and they've been known to hurry things along by suggesting a shot of tequila at the bar at the end of the night. It's definitely a creative way to free up a table for the long of people awaiting THE best Italian food in this city!

    5.0 star rating
    1/29/2006 Previous review
    La Scarola is one of the hidden gems of Chicago.  Although many people don't know about it, I think… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    6/9/2012

    This is possibly the best Italian food I've ever hard. I highly recommend the lasanga, I've practically been dreaming about it since.

    The place is small, and definitely packed together.
    The staff is somewhat awkward and stiff.
    The bar is over priced.
    But, the food definitely makes it worth a visit. I'm also partial to the wall mural in the far room, where they replaced painted people with pictures of their customers.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/24/2011

    Went here for dinner last night with friends. We were lucky to get reservations at such short notice.

    As soon as we walked in, it felt like a hangout place from Goodfellas. The decor is very busy, and a little tacktastic - but is it unique and interesting? - hell yeah! The service was very friendly, and they make you feel very welcome. About the food - I am sure this is how food tastes when italian grandmas cook. It is traditional, authentic italian food - not for someone counting calories but omg sooo delicious. The food took our whole group back to our trips to Italy and the food there. That is how good it was. The sauces were simple but delicious and tasted home made using grandmas recipes.

    One of the best italian restaurants in Chicago - hands down.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/26/2014

    Every meal I've had here is absolutely delicious. Everything is fresh and tastes great. My only compliant would be the restaurant itself is very tight, narrow and always crowded, but crowded is a good thing I guess. Hands down my favorite Italian restaurant.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/15/2012

    This is a hidden gem. Great food. I love the environment. I true old school Italian hideaway...and the Chef / Owner is always ready with a tequila shot digestif. This is how restaurants, especially Italian ones should be!

  • 1.0 star rating
    9/20/2011

    I don't get the great reviews. Awful. I will never be back.

    I was dying for Italian.  Pretty much ANY pasta would have made me happy. Unfortunately this place was a disaster.

    We went for lunch.
    Once they noticed us we were seated. They brought bread and menus. Seemingly eons had come and gone by the time they took our order. I ordered an olive oil pasta dish, my boyfriend ordered a chicken dish off of the pasta menu. We never had the same waiter twice.

    The chicken (ordered from the pasta menu) didn't come with pasta. Ummmm....?  My lunch has SO MUCH olive oil on it it would have been over kill even if had been a marinara instead. My poor little noodles were literally drowning. I had to transfer them from a bowl to a plate and let them hang from my fork to drip off before I could eat them.

    After our food was served we were never able to grab a waiter again. I was wanting dessert so badly I could taste it. No one cared. A bus boy cleared our plates, including water glasses, and we sat at an empty table for 25 minutes, laughing at the absurdity of it all.

    I walked out. The man who had been standing in the corner said, "Thank you for coming, have a nice day!"  as though I had paid my bill and left. You have got to be kidding. I was sitting at an empty table for my health?! My boyfriend went to the counter and paid. He mentioned that we hadn't gotten any service and had wanted dessert. They asked if he wanted a slice of watermelon. Unbelievable.  No thanks, I have plenty of watermelon at home.

  • 2.0 star rating
    11/2/2011

    This place is ridiculous hype.  Perhaps it used to be good but it ain't anymore.  I am a big fan of old school Italian and this place stinks - literally and figuratively:

    The restaurant stank of cigars and lysol.  I had to have my shirt dry cleaned to get the smell out.  This was even after asking to move to a new table in a new section of the restaurant, hoping that it would smell less there.  It was really hard eating in a place that stank so much.

    We were off to a good food start with a nice escarole and bean dish for an appetizer.  Even mopped up the plate with bread.  But it was down hill from there.  My eggplant parm was just plain gross.  The slices were thin cut with so dang much thick, thick water logged breading it was like eating a soggy sponge.  Worst I have ever had.  The red sauce tasted like prego - no wait, prego might be better. My husband had a pasta dish.  The pasta was cheap tasting, it had no tooth to it, just tasted like any old store bought boxed pasta that I could have made at home for myself.  It was way over priced for what we got.

    If you want great old school Italian, don't walk - run from this place.  Then head over to Sabatino's and enjoy some real Italian food.

  • 2.0 star rating
    10/1/2012

    I have eaten there multiple times now. I am not going to put the food down, because it is good, but I wouldn't say the absolute best. Each time we have gone, we have stood outside an waited an hour past our reservation time.  It is just a hassle to get in and be seated, even with reservations. The owner is just interested in making $ and has a "I don't give a f**" attitude toward his clients. I noticed that they were really rude to most customers checking in and acted like they are doing you a favor by letting you eat there. Better to find another restaurant where the owner takes pride in ownership and appreciates the clientele. The food is worthy of 4 stars, but the experience of dealing with the nonsense to get seated just takes so much away from the place.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/3/2010

    I'm pretty sure that La Scarola came from my dreams. I cannot emphasize how much I absolutely love this place- the ambiance is cozy, the waiters are friendly and down to earth (always available to chat about life while taking your order) and Armando! Oh Armando- every time I go, we have tequila and we talk about whats happened since we saw each other last.

    I've been here 4-5 times this year (was introduced to it by my boyfriend last year) and as usual, ordered off the specials menu. (Hint: Always order off the daily specials menu!) I got this amazing seafood risotto- the scallops were cooked perfectly, there was just the right amount of garlic (which is a lot because I love garlic) and a nice, lighter (weird for risotto!) sauce. It was like heaven on a plate. Even though I'm sure it was approx. a million calories, I ate all of it.

    Hey, why be skinny when you could eat like this? :)

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/15/2013

    Hi all.  I am a LaScarolla regular in every sence of the word.  Not much invironment, small and a little loud.  But, great Chicken, great veal chop (pounded al Gabe) Be sure to get the diced potato under the chop well done.

    Get grilled octapus (well done) and sausage and peppers as well.  Acup of the soup is perfect.  Pasta:  Get an order of the Linguini with olive oil and garlic (aldente-under cooked)

    From this menu they will know it was I who sent you.

    Mike

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/14/2012

    went to la scarola on a friend's co-worker's recommendation. i must remember to thank him, otherwise i would not have ventured out of the areas i already knew in chicago.. when i return to chicago i will return to la scarola.

    the fit in la scarola is tight. i wasn't able to move once i was seated. that would have been a problem if the timing of the meal was at all off.. but our order was promptly taken and our courses arrived with great timing to keep my mind off the cramped quarters.

    i tried grilled octopus for the first time and i loved it. it was meaty and awesome. the grilled calamari was also grilled to near perfection. they were both served in a balsamic sauce that is making my mouth water again as i type.

    i had the vitello di franco - thin veal breaded and pan fried with asparagus, [halved length-wise, a nice touch] garlic, tomatoes, arugula and roasted provolone. it was fantastic. it came with a side of risotto that i didn't touch because i was full from the apps and entree.

    side note: i took half my entree and the risotto back to the hotel. i ate the hell out of them the next day. top notch.

    detraction: my friend had the sea bass and he was disappointed by the overabundance of bones. big ones, small ones, bones galore. so, be warned.

    the price was right; my superb meal alone [grilled octopus and the veal dish] would have been right around $40 with tip. a killer deal according to ny prices.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/2/2013

    Pros: one of the best Italian places in the City
    Cons: always busy and crowded, service can be slow

    Will definitely come back again

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/6/2013

    This place is just great, best italian food in the city, and at the atmosphere is second to none

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/15/2012

    Great dining experience. Food, service, wine, everything was great. The owner even took time to chat with us outside the restaurant.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/30/2012

    This was one if the best meals I've had in Chicago.  I grew up eating only authentic homemade Italian food and lived in Italy for a period of time, so I can be very critical of Italian cuisine. Huge portions, great service and atmosphere, makes me feel like I'm back at home.  Decor isn't somewhere you'd take a girl on an intimate romantic date, but if you're looking for good food & tons of leftovers--go here.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/29/2013

    Been here on countless occasions, this place is awesome.  The food is awesome the staff is friendly, and it gives you a very homey feeling when you walk in the door.  It is priced pretty expensive but for their location and quality it makes complete sense!

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/31/2012

    Yummy!  Yummy!  Great for the Tummy!

    When I'm dining at La Scarola, I feel like someone's grandma is cooking in the kitchen.  The place is low-key, comfortable, old school and not in the least bit concerned with shee-shee-poo-poo modernistic decor.  Granted they could fix some of the cracks and bumps in the floor, but whatever...they take care of what's important...THE FOOD!

    The Vitello di Franco is so delicious it should probably be outlawed.  Not too thinly sliced, juicy, tender veal is perfectly fried in olive oil and nestled beneath asparagus, provolone, garlic and tomatoes.  This dish makes it hard for me to order my other favorite, the Pasta Lorenzo (bow tie pasta, tomatoes, shrimp and very, very tender chicken).  Ideally, I would go with a friend so I could have both.  

    If you're thinking you can slip in at 6pm on a Thursday without a ressie, think again.  This place is packed, and packed for many delicious reasons.  Unique, old school, delicious...that's La Scarola!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/23/2012
    3 check-ins

    Went here on Monday after the Bulls game with a few of my buddies. The place is congested and the decor is old. But that's not the reason I came here. The food was unbelievably good. I had the grilled calamari and it was the best calamari that I've ever had. I ordered the Pasta Sinatra for my meal which had Penne pasta with shrimp, mussels, and scallops in a tomato cream sauce. Only one word can describe that dish, WOW.  Bob, our waiter was on point. He made a few recommendations and he was very knowledgeable and was really good. Armando, the owner stopped at our table to check on us. We ended up talking to him for a few minutes and we shared a few photos and stories. He ended up sending dessert on him which he didn't have to do. Overall, the food is top notch. You can probably find another restaurant with a better atmosphere but you won't find one with better Italian Food.

  • 2.0 star rating
    10/3/2011

    Good atmosphere, friendly wait staff with great character.

    However, as others have mentioned, the food is bland, extremely greasy and overpriced. The tiramisu was too wet and lacked quality.

    I judge italian places by their bread, and the rock-hard bread did not impress.

    Perhaps at one time this place served quality food - my guess is they are affected by hype, which seems to happen a lot. I'm hoping other Yelpers will bring this rating down to the appropriate level.

    TIP: Try Volare in Streeterville. It's at Grand and St. Claire. My favorite italian in Chicago.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/16/2012

    Super good. Very nice server. Glad we decided to go in and eat once we discovered they don't deliver. Do not attempt to stuff yourself and get some gelato to take home. They don't make it, but it is made locally and so so good.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/24/2011

    I love and love La Scarola.  I've been going there for years and it never disappoints from the grilled calamari, which is delicious. It is served with balsamic vinaigrette and lemon...amazing.  

    My favorite dish every time I go is the Pasta Vesuvio which is $13.50 and it contains: delicious grilled chicken Strips, mushrooms, garlic and wine cooked in broth and set over linguini, accompanied with garlic bread and some nice Cabernet Sauvignon wine...I'm in heaven.

    Make sure to make reservations ahead of time b/c tends to get very busy and the place not as spacious.  Usually they make you wait at the next door bar "Rick's Place" for drinks and when you walk in there it is like retro 1984.  

    Not to mention a celebrities favorite restaurant...you can see all those that have passed by plastered on their walls....name droppers, for sure ;)

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/10/2012

    My new favorite old-school Chicago Italian joint. A business associate took me here for lunch after raving about the grilled calamari. He was not exaggerating. I had the namesake soup (escarole with beans) which was wonderful, and a chicken pasta dish that was tender and tangy. Plus it's right around the corner from Richard's dive bar. Suffice it to say I will be going back!

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/24/2011

    First time here was on a Thursday. The place was packed. It has so much character and a feel of a place where you can get a real "home-style" meal. Pictures on the wall with different celebrities and the owner.

    My date made reservations for 7:30 but we didn't get seated until around 8:30. No real waiting area, people just sort of scattered around the bar and seated on a bench. And I have no clue how they keep track of who arrives and gets seated first, the "host" must be really good with faces!

    The menu is pretty big, we ordered the fried Calamari to start, then ordered two specials (off the hand-written specials piece of paper!) and a bottle of Santa Margeritha wine. We finished off with an amazing Tiramisu, Cappuccino for her and a shot of Grappa for me!

    I would definitely come back on a weekend and try their Gnocchi.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/6/2012

    OMG! the food is awesome! The staff is rude, the place is sort of ugly, but the food is to die for...i had the Risotto di Mare...
    The only negative is that I think it is a little over priced.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/25/2013

    This is such a hidden gem. What a true authentic Italian experience. I cannot wait to bring visitors to this place. WOW - from the food, to the cocktails / wine, such a great treat!!! Romantic too, always a plus.

  • 1.0 star rating
    5/26/2013

    My boyfriend and I made a reservation for 8pm on a Sunday night. We'd done our research and knew we might have to wait a few minutes, but figured it would be worth it. When we arrived we were rudely told to go wait in the bar next door and someone would come and get us when our table was ready. They were running 10-15 minutes behind, but it might be sooner, we were informed.

    We gamely walked to the dive bar next door (Richard's) and sat down to wait. I didn't order a drink because I thought we'd be seated in a matter of minutes. I realized quickly that the bar allows smoking inside and I knew my allergies would kick in soon. We waited in the bar for a little over 20 minutes (with no one from La Scarola coming to get us OR anyone else) before we finally broke down and went to wait outside.

    After 35 minutes of waiting, my boyfriend finally went in to check on our reservation. We were told it would be 2 more minutes. So we moved to stand directly in front of the glass door, basically staring down the manager (or host, or whoever he is). Almost 15 minutes after that, we were finally motioned inside and seated.

    By the time we sat, I was livid AND starving. If I'd known we would have to wait 45 minutes (mostly outside) to be seated, we would have left immediately upon arrival and chosen a different Italian restaurant.

    Our table was directly in front of the bar (and the bar TV), which wasn't ideal, but we didn't think it would be a problem. At the very least, I thought to myself, the food will be worth it.

    We ordered drinks, then the grilled calamari and pasta fagioli soup to start. Our waiter brought bread and we both dove for it since we were starving. It was dry, just short of stale, and I could find better bread at any grocery store.

    Before our calamari arrived, the manager brought shots of tequila to the table with a quick, mumbled, insincere "sorry for the wait." I hate tequila, I don't do shots, and I would have preferred an actual apology, but I did the shot (as did the manager--not very professional--if he does one for every late seating, he must be drunk by 7pm) and decided I'd try to enjoy the rest of the experience.

    Then the calamari arrived. The flavor was good, but it was so overcooked that it was tough and rubbery. I took one bite and refused to eat it. We didn't send it back because I was tired of complaining and getting nowhere.

    The pasta fagioli soup was really good.  And our entrees were really good, too. The boyfriend had the pasta vesuvio, which was flavorful and well-balanced. I had a pasta from the specials menu (which I can't for the life of me remember the name of now) which included spinach, garlic, tomatoes, and goat cheese. It was fantastic. We had tiramisu for dessert and it was decent, but I've had better. I've MADE better.

    The thing that really drove us crazy (and the final nail in the coffin) was the bar area itself. There were obnoxious 10 year old boys hanging out who wanted to watch a basketball game and waiters who wanted to watch a soccer game. The battle of the remote was so annoying, I wanted to walk the kids back to their table so their parents could deal with them and then go back and tell the waiters to stop watching TV and do their jobs.

    If this review was only about the food, I'd give it 3 or 4 stars. But it's about the restaurant and the experience and ours was really horrible. In no way was it worth the wait or our final bill. I left disappointed and apologizing to my boyfriend for suggesting La Scarola over every other Italian restaurant in the city.

    I'd never recommend it to a friend and couldn't, in good conscience, not give fair warning to other Yelpers. You have been warned.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/29/2009

    Tough call - Can a crowded, worn-out place get 5 stars because of food quality and service?

    Presentation is not that of a 5-star restaurant, so I'll call it a 4-star place.  But damn, the food is great.  I've been twice now, and both times taken home a full meal of leftovers after smiling bite-by-bite throughout a meal of delicious, fresh pastas.

    La Scarola is a straight-forward Italian restaurant.  Poor acoustics, loud business diners, loud locals, tightly spaced tables.  Hundreds of photos of people you'll never identify, even if someone gave you their names, add to the crowded feeling.  It's all part of the atmosphere - if you don't like it, don't come back.  Once you adjust to the busy atmosphere, you settle back to enjoy the experienced waitstaff and the extensive menu.  Dishes and drinks arrive quickly, so don't order right away or you'll be out the door in an hour.  

    The grilled calamari is as good as you can get in the Midwest (remember, they don't raise calamari in Lake Michigan, so it's older and a bit tougher than you'll get on the coasts).  The pasta, chicken, veal, and steak choices cover most preparations, and I think they'll fix whatever you want even if it's not on the menu.  My #1 recommendation - their Italian sausage In whatever pasta they offer it that day.  I was lucky to get it once with gnocchi, zucchini, and portabella mushrooms, and once with broccoli rabbi and penne pasta.  I usually skip the meat dishes, but not here.  La Scarola has great sausages and outstanding fresh pasta.  We've not found better pasta in Chicago in the three years we've been back.  That's the reason to be here.  

    Their tiramisu is famous, and should be.  It's large, enough for two.  And it's delicious, very smooth and creamy, not dominated by the savoiardi cakes or cocoa, but complimented by the soft cake and the light cocoa flavor.  Just perfect.

    Great service, knowledgeable waitstaff, great pasta, great sausage, wide menu selections.  Worn out décor in an inconvenient location.  Yup, I'll stay with a four-star rating.  Maybe 4.4.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/3/2011

    I'm sure I've said this before, but I'm generally opposed to going out for Italian food.  Call me spoiled, but my Husband is a good cook and his Italian food is just as good to me as most Italian restaurants.  

    So, why did we end up here?  Well, it was kind of on my list as a Chicago classic, and it seemed like an easy place to have dinner with a couple who we didn't know well enough to know whether or not they were adventurous eaters.  Wow, could I have used even more words to say that last sentence? Geez!

    Ok, enough of that already, let's get it!  We had reservations at 8.  We got seated at 8:45. I know. I know...annoying. Normally, I would've been out at the 20 minute mark; I mean the whole point of a reservation is to get seated at a certain time!  

    I checked on the table about 4 times. Yes, I was that girl for two reasons: 1. I was STARVING. 2. This was my suggestion and I felt kind of responsible for everything that happened.

    Every time I checked in on the reservation, I did let the owner know I was annoyed, but we still had really fun interactions, and I mentioned that he should send some apps out to us b/c we were waiting for so long!

    Next thing you know, we are eating some bruschetta out on the sidewalk waiting for our table.  It may not have looked cute, but we did it and it was good.

    We were finally seated and we ordered some more apps (shrimp and soup) and started with the food.  One person had the white fish, two had the pasta with vodka sauce, and I had the spicy pasta with shrimp.

    Everyone liked their meals (the vodka sauce is delish) and I was meh about mine. I think it was a little too spicy for me to enjoy.  However, I think I just ordered wrong, and wouldn't be opposed to going and trying something else.  

    We ended the meal with some tiramisu, a chocolate cake and the pistachio gleato. All the desserts hit the spot and we left happy and with full bellies.

    I think this is definitely a place to stop by when you want to experience classic Chicago Italian.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/24/2012

    Excellent food, loved the atmosphere,  everything about this place was perfect, except for the wait time. We will definitely be back though.

  • 2.0 star rating
    9/10/2011

    Huh? Why does this place get so many great reviews? Due to all of these raving reviews - My husband and I went here during our stay in Chicago. Unfortunately, the food was completely mediocre.

    The only way I can make sense of this is that maybe Chicago doesn't have high standards for Italian food? Or maybe we just ordered the wrong thing (the antipasto for appetizer and the penne with sausage and marinara sauce).

    I had high expectations for Italian food in Chicago and I really wanted to like this place but the large number of  great reviews for this place + the actual quality of food we received resulted in our decision to skip the other Italian restaurant that we were planning to try on our trip. We didn't want to get disappointed twice in one weekend.

    The food tasted like something that I could have made at home and I am not bragging about my cooking abilities. How can an Italian restaurant with food that average have such high ratings? The bread was so hard and stale that we didn't eat it. The antipasto was whatever, the tomatoes were tough and flavorless and how was that fresh mozzarella? The pasta was not homemade, the sausage was disappointing and  the sauce was boring.

    The positives: the waitress was nice enough and the vibe was cozy and energetic.

    Almost forgot to add: The wine glasses given to us were still dripping with water. This is the first restaurant that I've been to that didn't bother to dry the glasses they served us with.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/3/2013

    I rarely write reviews but this place deserves it. By far the best experience I've had since I've moved to the city. Food was amazing but the service and staff made it even better. Definitely my new go to place!

  • 1.0 star rating
    5/10/2011

    This has been our goto Italian for a few years now and if anyone wants to recommend another Italian place I'd be happy to hear, as I don't think I'll ever return.

    We went for mothers' day dinner on Sunday. First off, we felt rushed and the table settings are very packed together so we are privy to others conversations and what they're ordering. I ordered the special, penne sinatra. Lucky me, I got one of the last orders left cause it had muscles. My pasta was dry and clumpy. I sent it back and it was the total opposite, and way too saucy. I ate it anyway, not wanting to make a fuss. Later that night I got sick to my stomach just about every hour. I became so dehydrated that I went to the doctor who determined it must have been food poisoning. I'm thinking I got a bad muscle. I called them to let them know that I got sick and rather than show concern, the manager was very defensive, macho and non-caring. I expected more concern for my well-being, but obviously this place doesn't care about its customers, they only care about their bottom line.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/10/2012

    I cannot get enough of The Risotto Primavera- Simply Divine. It really doesnt get better than rissotto and Goat Cheese for me. The Penne A la vodka is also a must order! The atmosphere is great it truly is a Old school- Chicago Italian Joint- No stuffy ambiance. It is usually Crowded on Weekend nights so A little known secrect.

    They Do Delivery on Grubhub! If you call they say they won't deliver- If you order it through Grubhub they do its awesome!

  • 2.0 star rating
    9/6/2013

    I had very high expectations as this was the THIRD highest rated restaurant on Yelp in Chicago (not just for Italian but for ALL restaurants in Chicago!). Boy was I disappointed - I just don't get all the positive reviews?? Nothing was awful but everything was pretty bland and average. Table of four, we had grilled calamari, and the shrimp appetizer (recommended by the waiter). These were okay but not mind blowing. Spaghetti with mushy meatballs. Clam linguine was nothing to write home about. Cannolli was hard and tasted very artificial. Tiramisu was not bad but by that point I was very underwhelmed. Volare, Mia Francesca, and any of the Rosebud restaurants like Carmine's are far better than this place.  I was expecting a classic old school Italian restaurant and got Olive Garden quality food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/3/2011

    OMG i'm in home made italian food HEAVEN. Where i'm from SF, there is italian food, but not like this, big portions and good price point. I remember the first time i came in September '08, this was the place i remembered, i don't recall the name. On my 2nd trip back to Chicago, we passed by it, and i'm like STOP THE CAR!!! That's the place, it was like a dream come true.

    My GF's cousin and her boyfriend took me here for my birthday, and boy was it treat, had a great time and the owner is SUPER NICE. you get to see pictures of famous people all around, and i hope my picture is up there... Home made food, taste good.

    Will be a repeat customer next time i head back.

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/29/2011

    Well Yelp... After typing in 'anniversary dinner' to find some nice romantic restaurant for me and the boyfriend, I found La Scarola.

    Problem was that it wasn't romantic. Our dinner basically is summed by this... 1) the food is delicious! 2) do reservations not count here?

    So yes, the food is wonderful and I have never had such flavorful pasta in my life. The garlic and white wine sauce hit the spot for me in the Pasta Vesuvio. My boyfriend had the Veal Marsala and though that was very well prepared, I liked mine a little bit better. The drinks were strong and the olive oil good. Plenty of food to take home for lunch the next day!

    Ummm....we have reservations for 7:15....what?....no tables available? Yeah, 25 min later we were finally seated. And walking in the front door is kind of walking into a war-zone. Waiters everywhere, tables everywhere, loud, etc. I had no idea where the "hostess stand" was so I finally had to ask a waiter where to go and that's when I got the "no tables ready" line. And the food is very slow to come out. We waited almost 45 min for our food and were getting a little anxious b/c those chairs are not very comfy.

    I would say this place is best when you are not in a rush, have plenty of wine and good friends to talk to while your waiting for your food. I liked it, and get the whole Italian theme, but honestly for a nice romantic evening out, this was not the place to go. I think I may need a 4 year anniversary do-over!

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/24/2011

    I stumbled upon La Scarola when my boyfriend and I visited Chicago a few months back. We were looking for a great Italian place and going out on a whim, we decided to check it out. It was a cab ride away from downtown Chicago and it was by far our favorite restaurant we ate at the entire trip.

    The atmosphere is very intimate and the staff treats you like family, which you can't ask for better. They don't take reservations, but there is a great dive bar next door to hang out at until your table is ready-- Richard's Bar, and the owner is a hoot! Did i mention the restaurant packs out through the door, which sure says a lot. The food is phenomenal and very large portions, but who can hate on leftover Italian?! The prices weren't too bad either. I had the eggplant parmesan and it was fantastic! I highly recommend La Scarola if you are looking for a hidden gem that you will want to visit time and time again!

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/9/2011

    I miss living off Grand Ave in River North for two reasons: easy access to work and La Scarola. Be still my heart, for I adore not only the menu but the cheeky waiters as well.

    I've been here more than I count on my two hands, and every time I am greeted with the standard European kiss-kiss and a table immediately. They even will make me a special dish that's not even on the "regular" menu...it's a gnocchi dish, and let me tell you- it's life changing.

    From a casual dinner out with friends on a random week night to a surprise 21st birthday dinner I orchestrated for my baby sis, I've used La Scarola to entertain many times. Therefore, I've had just about everything on the menu, and it is all creme de la creme baby.

    Hands down, La Scarola is my FAVORITE Italian spot to eat. If you've read any of my other reviews on EYE-talian cuisine, you know that I am hard to please when it comes to this cuisine. Quite simply, because I am half Italian and know my way around a kitchen pretty damn well.

    La Scarola is definitely classic Chicago and the pics on the wall prominently display all their fans from Mr. Sinatra himself to some of Chicago's finest. It's worth the trip even if it doesn't look like much from the outside.

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Jaci Y. said "Bigs bricks is a great place to get some lunch or dinner. They are family oriented which is so nice because we have a big…" read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    1/27/2013

    This is the best Italian restaurant in Chicago.  The atmosphere is charming and homey, the food is out of this world and they have a wide wine selection.  Their eggplant parmesan is one the best versions of this dish I have ever had.  Their service is friendly, efficient and courteous.  There is valet parking but you can find street parking easily and the cost of valet-ing is about the same as the meter if you come around 7 PM.  They had a dinner rush when we went but were able to satisfactorily accommodate us.  The prices are very, very reasonable as well.  Overall it is a great dining experience.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/28/2011

    Slice of Little Italy away from downtown.  When I visit my friend in Chicago, we always head here to have great food and drinks in a friendly place. The specials are excellent (I'm a sucker for risotto) so try those out if they appeal to you.

    The staff is efficient and courtious.

  • 1.0 star rating
    10/19/2010

    I will never recommend La Scarola to someone I like. The food was subpar, ambience and service were atrocious.

    I ate here last weekend, and as other reviewers noted,  La Scarola focuses on table turnover. I have never felt so pressured by wait staff to order.  Meanwhile the five of us ordered several appetizers, entrees, and dessert as well as four bottles of wine. We got our last bottle of wine with dessert, what a mistake.

    After we finished dessert (but not the final bottle of wine), the greaseball manager came over to ask us to leave our table and sit at the bar so he could seat someone else at our table. Oh but don't worry friends, he'll give us a Sambuca shot to make up for our trouble. B**CH PLEASE, we spent a fair amount of money (for food that was not even good) and you are trying to pull a turn and burn? FYI, we hadn't ordered any Sambuca, let alone shots, so why would that make up for your tactless and trashy attempt at maneuvering? We didn't leave the table, sorry greasy bear, your Sambuca shots held no appeal.

    I am not sure I would be so irritated by this shameless trashiness if the food had been delicious, but it wasn't. It was salty and sodexoish.  Nothing was inedible, but nothing stood out. You can get better customer service at pretty much any restaurant in the area, and I've had better Italian food in Chicago.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/14/2011
    1 check-in

    We had to give this place a try after my boyfriend heard this was one of the best italian restaurants in Chicago.

    We tried this place out on a Monday night and luckily got in without a reservation or wait. However, I highly suggest making a reservation. By about 7pm the restaurant was filled elbow to elbow. There is no doubt in my mind that the weekends are packed from open to close.

    Valet is available for $4.50.The restaurant looks small from the outside but once you enter there are two rooms of tables. The walls have frame after frame of all the famous faces that have dined here.

    The service is very prompt and provided us with excellent recommendations. We ordered the grilled octopus, cheese raviolis and steak vesuvio- family style! All were excellent dishes! Our entrees came with a soup or salad. I got the soup and the boy got the most delicious fagioli soup. Luckily the portions were extra large because I couldn't get my spoon out of his soup! The grilled octopus is a fan favorite here - grilled and covered with lemon, balsamic and oil. Cheese raviolis were topped with yummy tomato, spinach and mozzarella. The steak was perfectly cooked and oozing with flavor- it practically melted in my mouth.

    Very good. . . .I'll be back for more!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/10/2013
    1 check-in

    Best Authentic Italian food in Chicago. Must have a reservation.

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/30/2011

    Really packed, but good authentic Italian. Wine menu could use some work.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/31/2013

    By far the best Italian restuarant in Chicago. Nothing else.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/8/2009

    I pulled up saw the neighborhood and peeked inside the window while I was driving bye and new i would like this place. I was not disappointed for late night dinning in Chicago with placed it Rocked. I love all the autographed celebrities pictures on the wall. The small dining areas very quaint and hand written menu for the specials for the night how perfect is that.

    So now the real test the food and service....... both impeccable. I had chosen and Antipasto apt yes a beautiful color full creation. Baby Greens next to steak tomato's topped with fresh cream cheese, next to heart of artichoke and red bell peppers lightly seasoned in dressing and their freshly baked bread with butter can't forget the Peroni Beer. For my entree I had the Veal Chop with Italian alla Gebe giant portions yes! Every bite was a warm welcome of flavors all in balance with each other.

    I will be Back.

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/6/2011

    Good place.  My pasta with vodka sauce was fine.  The sauce was too watery, but tasted good.  Eggplant parms were OK.  Great atmosphere and great little place to go, though.  I just think there's better places for pasta out there.

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/24/2011 Updated review
    Listed in date spaces

    Had reservations here for a friend's birthday, and I just reviewed my last review for this place, and unfortunately, the service is still pretty darn slow here. So, I would give this place stars 4 for the food this particular night, but the service would be 2.5-3 stars. Averaging it out, this place is 3.25 to 3.5 stars.

    There were 5 of us at dinner, and none of us ordered complciated entrees. I ordered penne pasta with meatballs and others ordered the cheese ravioli, capellini, etc. It took about an hour for our food to come out, and I had to ask the waitress what was holding back the service. There was a table  of 4 in front of us that sat after we did but already got their food and paid their bill by the time we even got our food!

    I mean, come on. I get that your place is packed for a Tuesday night, but is this really the best you can do? Also, I expect the waitress to come around asking us if we're okay, that the food will be out soon, etc etc but there was absolutely NO care or attention paid to our table. We dropped a lot of money as a table, it's not like the food is $5 a plate. Right after I asked the waitress about our food (yes, I am rude like that when I am starving) we all got our food. What I suspect is that after I asked, the waitress probably realized our food was sitting under a heat lamp waiting to be put on a table. Whatever happened, it was strange. I consider waiting AN HOUR TO OVER AN HOUR for PASTA to be a little extreme. Sure, when you're baking a pizza or baking chicken in the oven, it's a little different, but we didn't order entrees and we didn't order pizzas (not that you could here).

    Also, a friend pointed out it's in bad shape if you take away other people's plates if not everyone at the table has finished their meal. Regardless, the service here stinks but the food is absolutely amazing. Come here for the food, not the service.

    4.0 star rating
    6/12/2010 Previous review
    The food itself here is 5 stars. I came here with a large group of people celebrating the coming of… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    5/31/2011

    I was drawn in by the Yelp rating, and really, by default since I was jonesin' for some carbs and my usual Italian haunt was closed for Memorial Day.  (Wha...? WHY?!)

    With hesitation, I went in knowing i'd either love it or hate it.  Well, turns out we LOVED IT!

    The decor is UBER cheesy.  The place actually smells it's age--old!  And the walls are filled with crazy pics of "celebs" like Don King.  HAH!

    But the real proof was in the pudding, the handwritten menu, the food, and the service.  We didn't feel rushed as others had noticed, but we made sure we let our server know up front we were newbies and needed some hand holding. He held indeed, and was charming and polite to boot.  Kudos to you, you big moustache-d Italian sweetie.

    We shared the grilled octopus from the specials menu as our appetizer, which was cooked to perfection and very flavorful.  Only had one other dish elsewhere which has topped it.  

    I dined on the penne alla vodka, by recommendation from our server (that's the dish you see pictured several times in the photos here) with shrimp.  The portion was gi-normo, so I ended up taking half of it home.  I'm sure it'll be deelish for leftovers.

    The fiance ordered the 1/2 chicken veusivio, which was a sock knocker.  Badass garlic flavor and also a huge portion.  We determined that next time we dine, we're totes sharing an entree because the portions are just way too out of control for us.  

    To top it off, we finished the meal with some espresso and tiramisu.  Not housemade, but still fabulous, flavorful and moist! YUM!

    See you soon....

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/10/2012

    So excellently delicious. I went there for lunch last week and loved my food. I'm going back today!

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/2/2011

    Took my cousin and his friends out at La Scarola. The place was buzzing with people. Although the seats are not that comfy. All the drinks were very strong. We strated off with Brushetta,Calamari and Shrimp Armani . Brushetta was so so but Calamari and Shrimp were good. I happened to order Ravioli and Egg Plant Parmigiana. But both of them disappointed me. Egg plant was half cooked and Ravioli was also not good.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/18/2011

    I've always wanted to eat at Nuovo Vesuvio, Arthur 'Artie' Bucco Jr.'s restaurant in the Sopranos. Even though he was kind of a bonehead, Artie always made a mean plate of food. Probably why he was never whacked, you need a good chef around. Every time Tony was stuffing his face at Nuovo Vesuvio I always wanted to reach into my TV and take a bite. La Scarola is probably the closest thing I'll ever find to Artie Bucco's restaurant.

    If you want classic, perfectly prepared Italian, this is your place.

    Veal Parm, perfection on a plate. Side of pasta with marinara, waiting for a lethal injection type meal.

    Ricotta Stuffed Meatballs with pasta and gravy. This was on another visit, again, amazing. I didn't know meatballs could have ricotta in them. Mind blown.

    Grilled Calamari. Prepared almost like a salad with romaine lettuce and a perfect balsamic dressing. So simple yet so complex. Just awesome.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/2/2013
    1 check-in

    Solid and delicious. Definitely worth a second look!

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/21/2011

    My husband and I went back and forth at least 20 times about where to eat our ONE dinner-time meal while we were in Chicago.  Greek?  Italian?  Mexican?  (No way, we are from AZ!)  Thai?  Nah.  We went for my favorite... Italian!

    This place looks like a little hole-in-the-wall.  We never would have stopped if it weren't for a Yelp review or 100.  :)  

    My pasta was home made cheese-stuffed ravioli with AMAZING white wine sauce.  I also ordered the asparagus salad which was "eh."  I didn't mind an "eh" salad when my main course came.

    Their table bread is also fantastic.

    I don't remember what my husband ordered, and it doesn't matter.  It was FANTASTIC and you must go.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/19/2012

    So i wrote a review on La Scarola a year or so ago, but didn't really invest the amount of time and passion this place deserves, so we are just going to do a "do over" after Monday night. First things first, I'm upset I cannot give this higher than 5 stars. Honest to god guys, i really know Italian food, it is truly an incredible passion of mine....that being said, this was hands down THE BEST DINNER I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. Simply out of this world. Outside of traditional classics techniques all chef's use @ Italian restaurants, I just heard that Armando uses chipolte and jalapenos in sauces to give them that extra kick. After hearing this, it totally makes sense and is just another great example of how little creative tweaks between cultures can result in wonderful meals. Lets go to a list format for the breakdown.....
    1.)Richards/La Scarola/Richards combo. You simply cannot do one without the other. Get your before dinner drinks at Richards, your meal at LaScarola, and come back for Sambuca's and scenary at Richards. If there is a better "mobster", old world combo, i have yet to find it. An article here cannot give Richards justice - but check out my review on yelp if you want the gritty details.
    2.)Whats the 3 cardinal rules about real estate????Location, Location, Location. Love Grand Ave Little Italy. There are 3 dynamite restaurants within a pitching wedge from here.
    3. OK, on to the main hits.....Start with appetizers last night and go with Octopus grilled in an amazing spicy aujus and without a doubt the greatest Sausage and Peppers platter I have ever tasted. The combination of flavors in their platter is breathtaking. You have 2 different slices of fresh garlic, basil, pepper, crushed red pepper, olive oil and I believe a hint of white wine and chicken stock. Again, unreal.
    4. My entree was an off the menu special called "PASTA SINATRA".....Mother of Christ this was the greatest thing I have ever tasted. A penne noodle, cooked perfectly an coated perfectly with a vodka cream sauce and tossed with jumbo shrimp, jumbo scallops, mussels, shallots and mushrooms. Addicting. I now understand how people smoke crack everyday.
    5. My friends had the swordfish special and cappellini diablo and were in heaven.
    6. Just for kicks and to keep seeing how many balls they could knock out of the park we ordered a couple side's dozen baked clams, breaded and served Mondello style and Rapini (broccoli rabe) in a garlic olive oil platter. Honestly gang at this point we were just laughing punch drunk at how wonderful everyone was.
    7. Great wine selection - We ordered 2 bottles of Chianti that were delicious.
    8. Service was impeccable. We tipped 40pct and felt great about it.

    So that's it. Anyone who lives there....go tonight. If you are visiting, make this #1 on your itinerary for food. Thank you La Scarola, best thing going in Chicago.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/23/2011
    1 check-in

    The food was delicious, but I have not really had Italian food that I've ever found to be inedible.  :)  I don't really have much to say about this place.  The food was delicious with of course enough left over for a whole second meal.  The service was fine, but as I've seen with a great many Italian places, it seems to be staffed entirely by serious men that find more importance in professionalism than friendly service.  I appreciate professionalism as much as the next guy, but I'm always a little put off by stoic service.  Come on, crack a smile!  I feel like restaurant service is always made better if you can have a little friendly banter with your server.

    That being said, it's a little too expensive to eat at on a regular basis (but by no means is it not affordable), as is any restaurant in which I am given the option to order more wine than I should drink, which can be said about any restaurant with a liquor license.  :)  I will definitely be back.

  • 3.0 star rating
    6/23/2011
    1 check-in

    The food was good but not melt in your mouth Italian like others have claimed.  This restaurant is very popular so it was very crowded and unbelievably loud.  Our waiter was nice but you could tell the goal was to push as many table turns as possible.   I have had better Italian food in Chicago so I am not sure I will be back.
    FYI: They like to let you know that many famous people have eaten here.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/14/2013

    In my opinion, the best Italian restaurant in the city. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Quaint environment with an owner and staff who truly care and it is very evident. Can't wait to return, and hopefully see a celeb this time too!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/19/2011
    1 check-in

    Total hole in the wall, but best homemade Italian food I've had in a while.

    Had the veal marsala and ziti with gorgonzola. Wine wasn't to bad either.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/12/2009

    This stuff is really solid, not super inventive, a step above Italian Village-style Italian food. I'm a huge fan of busy, small restaurants and this doesn't disappoint. (yes, it's packed and possibly the loudest restaurant I've ever been in-- close enough to know much of a tool the guy sitting beside you can be).

    We got the bruschetta (loaded with topping), cheese ravioli, and chicken vesuvio pasta + wine for $80. The food was in tremendous quantities and the wine was a solid choice.

    Good spot.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/31/2011

    FANTASTIC!!!! I had a working lunch with my boss today here and the food was absolutely amazing.  All of the specials looked great but I decided on the Penne Alla Gianna. Life changing, son!  The food was simply delicious. Service was what to be expected for the lunch rush.  I really liked all of the pictures of celebs on the wall. My lunch was fantastic and the tiramisu was pretty good. I'll definitely be back with friends!!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/14/2010

    I really loved this place the first two times I went!

    On a hot summers' day, the cool and lemony brocolii salad is devine.  They do a lot of specials, which is great since you don't ususally get the same thing twice.  

    Alas, my last trip took some points off.  I got seared tuna, which was underseasoned and mushy.  My mother twice got greens with huge chucnks of garlic, which was overpowering.  Also, points off for its crowdedness.  The tables are really, REALLY tight.

    But, overall, the homey feel, usually awesome food, and relaxing waitstaff make this a fav.  Try it out!

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/22/2008

    This place gets american-italian right!  Went there last night, and everything was delicious!  

    4 of us shared calamari and italian sausage and peppers to start.  

    Then 2 of us had penne ala vodka -- that sauce don't stop!

    I had "Gamberi Risotto" which is basically bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp in risotto w/ sundried tomatos, artichokes and onions.  Shazaaaam!!

    Buddy Chris had 3 (!) chicken breasts that were in a red sauce w/ mushrooms and cheese.  It looked fantastic.

    So, take delicious food, a hoppin atmosphere (which can be a little on the loud side), friendly service, good people watching (a little bit like chicago meets the Sopranos at times), huge portions, and did i say... delicious food?  Wrap it all up and you get Scarola.  I'd definitely go back.

  • 1.0 star rating
    5/17/2010

    They may have the best pasta fagioli I have ever had, but I have never been treated so rudely at a restaurant.  I have never and will never go back there.  

    On a busy night, the owner sent us to the back bar to wait for a table.  The waiter misunderstood him and sat us down after a few minutes of waiting.  When the owner realized the mistake, he became angry at us.  He started berate us in front of the entire restaurant, yelling and swearing at us.  People stopped eating to watch the spectacle.  

    You never treat people like that, especially customers.  I tell everyone I know to avoid this place like the plague.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/3/2012

    I love you, My family loves you, and Helen loves you, BUT Please don't do what you did today, we go for lunch everything is great as always, then the waiter brings me the wrong dish, so he quickly takes it back and 5 minutes later he brings out my Chicken alla grille, except its not,it was nuked for speed and swimming in balsamic vinegar, I took it home I did not want to ruin everyone else's lunch by complaining, I love that chicken, But I will maybe try something else since I'm a little turned off, Calamari is the best, Chicken ala Joe it awesome  as are most of the other items on the menu,please NO SHORT CUTS...............

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/7/2013

    One of the city's best casual Italian dining spots!  I highly recommend the Penne a la Vodka with chicken.  The portions are huge, so sharing is ideal.  Make sure you call and make a reservation, as this place gets very busy.  There's not much room inside the restaurant to wait.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/9/2011

    Whoa. This is awesome Italian food! We just moved to the "West Town" area and I was browsing yelp to find some new good places. Little did I know I'd hit a total jackpot. Who's heard of this place? Certainly not me. But, it's amazing!! And, it's right across the street, yay!

    They have a changing menu of the day which has great seasonal options. We had the fried zucchini, eggplant Parmesan, and one of the specials which was a creamy red sauce, penne, and a TON of seafood cooked to perfection. We also finished up with some Spumoni. Be prepared to eat when you walk in the door. They have great bread, and super-huge portions.

    The waiters and bartenders are really friendly and the place is packed. It has a great local feel. I'll definitely be going here again!

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/28/2011
    1 check-in

    Over all a very interesting experience.  Aside from the parking issue we had a BLAST!

    The dishes we devoured in 5 minutes flat were absolutely what you would expect from an Italian restaurant in Chicago.  I know that somebody is working their poor mother to death in this kitchen.  Wow, the place was hoppin', the owner talkin' up the tables.  I mean what more can you ask for?  I like the fact that they handwrite their menu's and the tables are placed in every nook and cranny.

    If you are looking for a quiet romantic Italian Place, this is not it...But, if you are looking for an old school, knock your socks off with some amazing dishes, serious about honing your people watching, and need that energy boost from a fun crowd well THIS IS IT!

    Bring some friends and enjoy the area and valet is cheap!

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/6/2010
    4 check-ins

    Great old school Italian food.

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/9/2010

    2 ways to know an Italian restaurant is decent:
    A. I didn't hear one lick of English
    B. Every waiter here sports a mustache

    La Scarola has renewed my faith in Chicago-italian food (besides Al's Italian beef obvi). I came here on a man-date with one of my best buds and we both enjoyed it.

    Ambiance: It's an interesting crowd of elderly Italian men and their ummmm, daughters right?  This place is packed, so it helps to make reservations. It's a bit small, but not so overwhelming that you feel like you're sitting on top of one-another.

    Wine: A great selection and reasonably priced. They sport Pironi, but not Moretti - which is the only Italian dark beer I know of. I guess I have to do my homework.

    Appetizers: We split the mussels in red sauce. The sauce was so-so. I am used to French mussels where they are usually served almost like a soup. Also, the mussels are huge - almost too big.

    Entree: This is where this place shines. My buddy had the Veal Mondelli and I had the Pollo Ponzio. They definitely give you  a lot of food. My chicken was very well-cooked and tender. The vegetables and sauce were delicious - very comfey italian food. The veal was great also, but not as tender as the chicken.

    All in all, this place is decent. Very comfortable italian food. A bit pricey for the quality, but not for the quantity I guess.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/13/2013

    Celebrated my birthday & anniversary here. Excellent food. Griiled calamari was exceptional!  Great Italian atmosphere, felt like I was with my family.

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/19/2010

    Maybe it's all the wine infused dinners here that has led me to believe the food is always good, however I had a sober dinner last Sunday evening and a not so great Chicken Vesuvio.  The Chicken had a very funky, almost too old taste but since I was a guest, I didn't send it back and just ate the potatoes and picked at the chicken.  

    This restaurant is known for rushing customers, and I can understand why customers spending their hard earned money would feel offended when asked to finish their drinks at the bar.  Ours was still a rush job, however, with no excuses as there was no line and many empty tables later on Sunday evening.  

    When your popularity is so high that you have lines waiting to get in, the courteous treatment of customers might just become a secondary consideration.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/19/2012
    1 check-in

    Wonderful food, not too expensive and a very vibrant atmosphere add up to a 5 star review for me. The owner greeted us as we walked in from the street and asked for a table for two. We were promptly seated (it was about 9pm), and taken care of. We ordered some wine, the Torresella Pinot Grigio and Torresella Riesling, both excellent for our tastes. Then had the Antipasto appetizer with fresh slices of mozzerella, tomatoes, olives, roasted red peppers, and prosciuto, over a bed of baby greens. For our meals, Jamie had the Eggplant Parmigiana, which was delicious. I had the Pasta Lorenzo. The Chipotle sauce was great!  We enjoyed ourselves and the food. On our way out the owner again thanked us for coming and waved us goodbye.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/3/2012

    Atmosphere is fun and very authentic Italian. You have to get the penna ala vodka and pounded the veal, split it with someone they are both out of control. I agree with one of the previous reviews, the waiters are sometimes a little rough but that is what makes it fun. Definitely a favorite for Italian in the city.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/19/2011

    A friend of mine who is incredibly picky and old-school in his expectations for Italian food adores La Scarola, and I do adore any and all italian food. So we tried it out, and he was right, it was delish, but in a general chicago old-school Italian kind of way. Lucky for me, i can never have enough.

    We had the fried calamari, hard to mess up i know, but the calamari were good in size and fresh. It creeps me out when the plate is full of tiny, rubbery circles, no tentacles and such. Points for doing a simple thing so many people screw up well.

    I had the eggplant parmesan, Coll had chicken vesuvio. The eggplant was realllly cheesy, a little soggy, but generally i feel like thats what you get w eggplant. The vesuvio was like a garlic wet dream, i wanted to lick the plate. You can choose breast or on the bone, and who doesn't like options?

    The decor was a little meh, and the service a little meh, but i really don't care as long as they'll let me dip everything in marinara and have a competent valet service.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/11/2011

    Sausage & Peppers
    Calamari
    Meat lasagna
    I crave these things on a weekly basis.
    All amazing.  Go, now!

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/3/2010

    Great dinner...love it. My friend and I had plans to do dinner and she suggested this place. I'm so glad she did because I had wanted to try this place before but never followed through.

    We decided we wanted to share our dinners so we could try more food. Believe it or not I've never had Risotto, and I love Italian so I do not know how I've missed out on that. My friend ordered a Risotto with shrimp, calamari, muscles and was suppose to also have scallops but they were out. Because they were out they gave more shrimp which was nice. I got the Salmon Mondelli, it was the best Salmon I've ever had. I absolutely love the salmon, it had so many flavors and seasons YUM!!! The seafood risotto was just fantastic also. It was so flavorful. Both dinners were just beyond fantastic. I cannot wait to go back!!

    The waitstaff was very nice and attentive. The waiter asked our names and when we left called us by our names. Honestly the little things in life make me happy, and when wait staff or customer service people remember names it really is a great touch!!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 4.0 star rating
    1/1/2011
    1 check-in

    These guys make great grilled octopus!  It's smoky, tender, and has a good balsamic vinaigrette...yum.  Tried a simple pasta with broccoli and goat cheese and it was yummy.  The service was very friendly.  This is well-done Italian-American food in a cozy setting.  I'd definitely go back!

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/27/2011
    1 check-in

    Our visit was quite a while back, but here goes nothing.  

    This place came on an ardent recommendation from a co-worker, so we used this as a bit of a reward to ourselves.  Figured a nice Italian dinner would be great.

    We arrived and had the valet park our car for us, which was nice.  I wasn't expecting that and while I usually wouldn't want to pay for such a service, it was a nice touch to be able to just walk right in without first parking and walking a few blocks.

    Upon entry I was struck by the size of the space...quite smaller than I expected.  We were early for our reservation, but were seated right away at a tiny two seat table right in front of the kitchen.  It was loud, people were rushing by us, and we just felt confined and couldn't imagine really enjoying our dinner.  It was at this time we spotted the "back" dining room.  We asked the waiter if we could move back there, which they swiftly accommodated.

    Once back in the roomier, less crowded area, we immediately felt more comfortable. I enjoyed my crab stuffed shrimp.  The girlfriend enjoyed her entree as well.  

    Afterward we didn't think anything about our meals were "exceptional", but would be willing to go back.  The space is comfy and cozy, and the staff was nice.  Discovered a nice bottle of wine there too, which is of course cheaper at the wine shop than the restaurant, but we would never have found said wine without first having visited La Scarola.  

    If I had friends or family in town that wanted Italian, my first thought would be to come here.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/15/2011
    Listed in Get In My Belly

    Confession: I came here a few years ago for Valentine's Day dinner and wasn't thrilled, I thought it was just okay but it could have been due to the holiday.  

    I'm really glad that didn't stop me from checking it out again because their food is seriously delicious!

    Menu: Extensive
    Food: Yummy comfort food (not a place for dieters)
    Portions: Large
    Price: Very reasonable
    Location: Decent for getting cabs
    Best for: Family dinner, meals with clients
    Staff: Friendly & entertaining
    Leftovers: If you have any, you will want to take them home and enjoy them tomorrow

    It's not a romantic restaurant and is much better for group dining.  Now to think of an excuse for a large gathering...

  • 1.0 star rating
    12/12/2011

    I have now tried to eat here twice but left before getting seated on both occasions. Both times I made reservations.  The first time I arrived exactly on time and was told it would be up to an hour before we would be seated!  That was simply unacceptable and completely defeated the purpose of a reservation.  We decided to take our business elsewhere.

    Despite our difficult first experience, we heard the food was tasty so I tried making reservations again, this time for 8pm on a Saturday.  Unfortunately, when we arrived I was told our table would not be ready for at least 20 mins, and based on our previous experience and overhearing the groups around me, I quickly learned that this was a common issue.  When I asked the host why this seems to be a perpetual problem he was unapologetic and irritable and told me there is always at least a 20 minute wait for reservations.  His indignant and unfriendly attitude was enough to send me elsewhere, so we took our party of 8 to Meze down the street.  That establishment quickly seated us, and the owner served us himself, while providing an extremely friendly and welcoming evening with delicious food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/18/2012 Updated review

    My absolute favorite eating establishment in Chicago or the surrounding burbs. Always crowds of great people joining together in an almost communal surrounding, since the tables are close and the space tight. You could not have a better host, and the wait staff top notch, friendly, helpful and be seen more than once treated like a regular. If you have to wait for your reservation, Richards next door, no bar better for meeting people from all walks and taking yourself back to Chicago's early days of the neighborhood tap.
    From the chicken selections, pastas, penne alla vodka, mussels in very special sauce to the fish selections, like sea bass, this is the place, with the food and staff that makes Chicago, Chicago. Crowds always for a reason, the best place for a meal with friends, and family.

    5.0 star rating
    4/15/2012 Previous review
    My absolute favorite eating establishment in Chicago or the surrounding burbs. Always crowds of… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    8/28/2013

    Delicious homemade Italian food. Its no where near the touristy part of the city, but it's totally worth the cab fare.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/9/2012

    I went there last night for dinner with my wife. it was both of our first times going there. It was funny because there was a mix up with our seats and we had to switch tables a few times but we didn't mind. The staff was awesome and they were really happy that we were cool with the mix up. Food was AMAZING!!!! We had a great time and we will be back again very soon.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/28/2013

    We loved the food here!  Our waiter was tops!  We had a reservation and only waited a couple minutes for a table.  There were three of us and we all thought our dish was the best.  If they have sea bass on the menu... Order it!  The best I've ever had, done expertly.  Not exactly eye pleasing but after one bite...who cares.  Great place!

  • 3.0 star rating
    2/12/2012

    You can never go wrong with La Scarola. Food is always good.

  • 1.0 star rating
    2/25/2012

    If your idea of traditional Italian restaurant is a place that is so over crowded that the staff is constantly bumping into you and that you are being rushed, this place is for you.  As for us, this was not a pleasant experience.

    I love Italian food and several people told me about their Italian sausage which was pretty good and overall the food was good but no great and  nothing to write home about.

    As we were nearing the end of dinner and the two bottles of wine we had ordered (3 people) we were asked to leave because they needed the table.  We eat out a lot. This was the most rude treatment we have ever had in a Chicago restaurant

    I will never return here and would not recommend this place to anyone.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/19/2010

    The food here was really great and possibly the best Italian food I've had in the area. My only complaint was that wow - it was oily. Some of the pasta dishes we ordered had a good 1/4 inch of oil sitting in the bottom of the dishes. My taste buds were happy but the stomach not so much. On the bright side, the portions are so huge that you could either share entrees or enjoy a couple of meals out of one dish's leftovers... so I guess the wallet comes out happy, too.

    One interesting moment was that at the end of our meal, we didn't order dessert, but sat and chatted for a few minutes with our family since we were leaving Chicago the next day and wouldn't see them for a while. The owner came over and offered shots of Sambuca for us to give up the table since it was so busy. He was friendly about it and shook all of our hands thanking us on the way out. It didn't really bother me, but it might be worth noting if you're the type that likes to sit and relax with your friends or family after the meal.

    It's really good italian with a casual, loud and bustling atmosphere that's nice for a group dinner, but it's probably a bit much if you're looking for a date spot.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/16/2010

    Ah yes, La Scarola....the restaurant that has ruined all other veal parms for me until the day they put me into the ground.

    Fortunately I learned of this place before my metabolism totally checked out and have thoroughly enjoyed many a pasta dish and amounts of bread that would have made any no/low-carb diet zealot pass out in shock.

    Armando is the best.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/21/2011

    Great Food.  It can be a little salty at times, but for the most part its good/great.  You will find it to be semi-traditional.   Good enough wine list.  Good drinks.

    The atmosphere is great.   I love all the photos and art on the walls.  The music is not loud; you can hear everyone when they talk.  

    Service is excellent.  Very accommodating.  

    Make sure to call ahead for reservations.  This place tends to be packed, especially on the weekends.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/2/2010

    I had dinner here for the first time this evening and I had a truly good meal here: Pollo Lorena, off the daily special menu.  Their Pollo Lorena is based on a boneless chicken breast, served with a typical Italian tomato sauce, green beans, potato slices, and a topping of Gorgonzola cheese.  It was simple and delicious and arrived steaming hot right from the kitchen.  And the tiamisu we shared for dessert was the best that I have ever had (and I'm usually not a big fan of the stuff).

    The room can best be described as nothing fancy; in fact, it looks exactly like it must have looked in 1990.  And 1980.  And 1970.  And 1960.  You get the drift--the room is a mess and way too crowded and noisy to be considered comfortable.

    Service was hyper-efficient and brisk.  You won't want to linger and, I suspect, they won't let you.  It's apparently all about turning the tables here.

    Most of the crowd looked like they had been coming to La Scarola for decades, although there was a smattering of young marrieds and what appeared to be couples on date nights too.  If you are thinking about this place for a date night--especially the first or second date--I'd think twice.  The noise, crowd, and service all might make this a somewhat overpowering and unpleasant evening, instead of the quiet romantic dinner you might be desiring.  But if you're adventuresome and simply after a delicious meal, go for it!

    In summary, I give this place four stars because of the food, and the food alone.  I think the room sucks, the service is too brisk, the crowd isn't pretty, and the neighborhood is kind of ugly--but the food is terrific.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/11/2010

    After spending some time at Tesa Cigars, it was time to eat, so we headed to La Scarola.  Here is what I found:
    A bustling, crowded scene with really good food.  I went with the Capellini Fra Diavolo and I enjoyed it.  It was a really vibrant dish.  They pour a stiff drink, too.  
    I'll certainly be back, trying other things on the menu.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/21/2012

    Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. The food was delicious! Highly Highly recommend the muscles in red wine sauce. And other yelp reviewers were right about needing to be prepared to have a great time with the owner! Definitely going back soon.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/18/2011 Updated review

    We had one of the best meals of the year here Saturday night.    We started with the grilled octopus, which was phenomenol.   Two of us had the veal chop ala gabe, which words cannot describe how good this is.   The steak vesuvio, tuna special, gnocchi and veal chop ala mari were also excellent along with the tiramisu, gelato and cannoli.   This meal was phenomenol.   Our service was excellent and the owner/manager made us feel like we were part of his family, coming over and showing us pictures, drawing a superman for my son, offering desert on the house for the kids, etc.   Just a fantastic place for special occasion or leisurely dinner.

    4.0 star rating
    1/21/2008 Previous review
    So yummy.    Good quality Italian food at very decent prices.    Awesome cannoli.
  • 2.0 star rating
    10/31/2011

    Yah, yah.  Your cool and everybody knows it.  

    My husband and I came here for dinner and it was just ok.  Really, it was just ok.  Every single employee acted like they were on the freekin episode of the sapranos or something.  Like we owed them something.  My god it's just a restaurant....
    We walked in the door and the first impression was a nasty ass smell like a mix of a dirty mop and old building.  This is an Italian place.  I want to smell sauce simmering  or something come on!! We were quickly shoved in the middle section by the bar and because we didn't order drinks we were totally ignored right from the beginning.  The food was just ok until my husband asked for the red pepper flakes for his meatballs.  The waiter offered a special chipotle sauce that was made special by the MEXICAN chef.  Wait, what?  I thought I came to an Italian restaurant.  If I wanted mexican food I would have gone to Pilsen.  That saddest part of it all was that the chipotle sauce was the best part of the meal.  I found I put it in my soup to make it better and my pasta dish.  Suddenly everything was amazing but......this isn't a fusion restaurant ???? Wait, I'm so confused.......

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/10/2012
    1 check-in
    Listed in all stars.

    small, loud, intimate, good for groups. grab your friends and be ready to share some huge portions and bottles of wine. if you end up having to wait, hop next door to richards bar for a drink and some people watching.

    i've tried many italian spots around town, and somehow keep going back to this one. solid menu, great staff, and always a great time. the walls are lined with photos of famous and not-so-famous people eating here, and it's always fun to people watch as well. if you're lucky, the manager may pop by and give you a shot!

    some faves are the grilled calamari (fried is good too!), penne sinatra (seafood galore), arrabbiata sauce is flavorful with some heat...but everything is fantastic. and you'll definitely have leftovers.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/6/2012

    Ambiance: Walking into La Scarola can be a little overwhelming...the main dining room is packed and pretty loud. We had reservations though, and were able to get a corner table in the second dining room which was significantly quieter.

    Service: Our waiter wasn't particularly friendly/informative/approachable, and simply took our order when we were ready (no descriptions/suggestions/small talk...)

    Food: We were served bread to start, which was pretty boring (and not warm!) but held us while we waited for the rest of our food.

    The food was in general very good. We ordered two appetizers: the scarole (had to try it) wasn't particularly inspiring, but was tasty. The shrimp armani was delicious, grilled perfectly and served in a nice red sauce (though it was not the least bit spicy).

    We ordered two items off the specials menu: sea bass and swordfish. The sea bass was pan-seared in a somewhat rich sauce with capers, grape tomatoes, garlic etc. and was very good (though a bit pricey at $33 or so). The swordfish was the winner in my book, cooked perfectly and served over sauteed spinach with tomato, zucchini, giardiniera peppers (a nice kick every few bites), and a heavy dose of garlic. Finally, we ordered one of the simple chicken dishes (peto di pollo) which was a little boring. The roasted veggies were great, but the chicken a fairly overcooked and uninspired.

    Overall, a nice evening! Definitely go for the shrimp armani and swordfish (if available), but don't expect the most attentive waitstaff. Might not be back soon, but certainly no regrets in going there tonight!

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/8/2012

    The Pollo Ponzio Is absolutely amazing, I stumbled on this place by accident and have made treks back to Chicago from Oklahoma specifically with La Scarola as my first stop.   Best Italian food I have had anywhere.  Cant wait to get back to the windy city for this rare find.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/9/2010
    8 check-ins

    Best (best best) Pasta E Fagioli in the city... and their sausage and peppers is right up there as well.  Excellent Italian restaurant.

    Keep in mind that they are also open for lunch, and it's not nearly as crowded as you can expect for dinner.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/25/2011

    Great Food, Cozy and yet not that small of a joint.
    meal to die for is the Pasta Alla Joe or the Pasta Niko
    for evenings and weekends, recomend reservations!

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/12/2012

    Feels like you're right in Italy-- and if not, then definitely Little Italy.  The place is loud and crowded and a great time.  The service was great and the food equally so-- loved the rigatoni with brocolli and goat cheese.  What a great combo.  And my friend had the Chicken Vesuvio, which was also delicious and huge.  Amazing portion sizes here, so be sure to share with your companions or take it home for lunch tomorrow. Also, be sure to make a reservation-- it's small and always crowded and there isn't a ton of room for waiting, so be prepared.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/21/2010

    Grilled Octopus appetizer!  I want this as my last meal.              

    My wife and I made this our 'Special Place' for dinner.  We have always have had great service and  great food experiences here.  I can't wait to go back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/15/2011

    Walk off an always grungy section of Grand Ave into dining bliss!  The atmosphere is classic famiglia italiana.  Waitstaff a little too 'euro -pro' for my taste, but that's what you get, so you better like it or else!

    Hat's off to owners & staff for consistently delicious meals from start to finish.  Steak vesuvio and veal are the best you'll come across.  Pasta is great, too  - above average sauces - always ask for a little extra on the side......

    Finish up with a cannoli & some gelato - this is not an eat & run place, plan on a long multi-course dinner here.  Nice date place but great for anytime you want a special meal.

  • 2.0 star rating
    5/24/2012

    Kind of a hole in the wall.  The food was alright, came out fast though.  The service was ok.

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/4/2010

    This is the perfect cold weather/I want to be fat type place. It's cozy and always packed and the portions could feed a small country. The service is very friendly and they'll pretty much substitute anything.

    I shared the salmon entree and goat cheese/brococli pasta. The salmon I could take or leave...it was pretty boring and farmed not wild which should have been my first clue. The pasta was delish....but what with goat cheese isn't? Sadly it was pretty oily and that never heats up well so I didn't take the leftovers. It's obvious why this place is so popular but there's too many other good Italian places so I don't see myself rushing back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/27/2010

    This place is amazing! I'm sorry it took me so long to find it. My husband and I wanted to go out for a good Italian dinner, and we are night owls so we needed a place that was open semi-late. The reviews were great, and I've driven past a number of times and have always been curious.

    We went around 9:30 pm on a Monday night and there were tables open, but only a few. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, and intimate. The walls are covered in framed pictures, we sat near Sophia Loren and a signed picture of the owner with Robert Deniro and Bill Murray. Pretty cool. It says the restaurant was established in 1998, but it feels like it has been there for decades, in a good way.

    The service was great, attentive but not overbearing. Wine list was also a winner, and the food of course was delicious. Huge portions, and a great specials menu.

    I will definitely be going back here again, and I think it would be a good spot for a date or a big group of friends.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/19/2009

    Okay, so I have to start by saying I hate (hate is a strong word - REALLY dislike) Italian food. It's just not my thing what can I say... BUT this place; OMG! - it's the best place on Earth. I mean really... Okay, maybe not the "Earth" but it comes pretty close.

    Everything I've ever eaten there is good. Their Capellini Fra Diavolo is the BEST and the portions are HUGE! Like I can eat the same junk for 3 meals plus that dinner meal... It is SO good. And the Dirty Martini's with  the blue cheese stuffed olives are a home run. Two and you're on the floor.

    This place is super cute, extremely friendly staff, fun place to people watch, apparently a lot of celebrities go there (I've never seen any there) but they're there, food is mind blowing amazing, and the drinks are good too...

    Either way, I highly recommend this place... Check it out. It's a great place! Perfect date place! (They do get crazy busy so there's normally a wait!)

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/13/2010

    Went out for a celebratory dinner with my best friend Tuesday night, and was sooooo glad we went to La Scarola. Our reservations was for 730pm, and we were seated promptly upon arrival.
    Our server was at our table seconds after we were seated, and despite it being a Tuesday night, this place was hopping.
    The food, what else can I say other than....PERFECTO!!! We each ordered a different dish, and tried each others plate, not one of those had anything that we could complain about!
    The desserts were no different, they served us a plate of perfectly ripened watermelon slices, and then we had the tiramisu, chocolate mousse, spumoni plus they gave us an extra serving of ice cream for the kids.
    The price was absolutely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food that they give you.
    This is one place you should not miss if you're ever in Chicago!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/15/2013

    We were there on Friday night and had a great pasta dish with scallops and shrimp in a  garlic cream sauce it was one of the specials that night great ambiance and fun waiters. Great place to go!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/29/2010

    great penne vodka- has shrimp in it. But tables are close together.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/21/2012

    First Class restaurant and staff. Awesome grilled calamari, maybe the best on earth. Best sea bass on earth. WOW

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/3/2010
    3 check-ins

    This is hands down my favorite restaurant in chicago . I find myself taking every close friend/out of town guest here, and i have never been disappointed.  Until recently I have never been inside without being greeted by the owner. He may not know your name, but he will know your face, and as soon as you walk in you feel welcome. Call ahead, or sneak in at an off peak time or you may be standing at the bar for a while.

    The great thing about this spot outside of the food is the atmosphere. You immediately feel like you're in a real italian restaurant. There is a cozy warm element, that will make you look at Maggianos like its an industrial factory.

    so the food... I have not tried everything on the menu, but I have had most, and it has always been far far above average. No matter what your entree is, i recommend the sausage and peppers appetizer. I have it every visit. It is pretty simple, italian sausage, green and red seasoned bell peppers, and garlic butter. Every italian staple food will be amazing. You can't go wrong with the pastas, and the meat lasagna is a home run. Most recently I tried the white fish, which initially i thought was delicious. That is until i tried my companions sea  bass. It melted in my mouth, and now i can say hands down it is probably one of the best items on the menu.

    This is a great date spot, if you don't mind the busy environment. On weekends the place is packed, but well worth the wait. Don't be turned away by the $250,000 cars at the valet, the prices are reasonable, and the food justifies the cost.

  • 2.0 star rating
    6/3/2013

    Not impressed at all!  For Italian food, this place lacked flavor.  Heavy hitters with the lemon, basalmic vinegar and crushed red pepper.  Sunday night, not very busy, and the food was not good.  Ordered the grilled calamari.  Why ruin it with making it sit in a soup of basalmic vinegar?  The $32.95 veal chop was just ok, why ruin it with a breading and they used too much lemon.  I ordered the pasta fagole - which had a good taste/consistancy but it seemed to be from the end of the pot - barely any liquid.  I also ordered the rapini - HORRIBLE!  It looked dead, not green, over cooked, and the vey spicy.  Our server gave us our drinks, took the order and never returned after the food was delivered.  I had to flag down the bus boy to get our bill.  The server took 5 min to get it to us and then reached around the corner and set it down, never looked at me and never asked how our food was.  hmmmm?!?!  He was quick to charge my card and deliver it.  Great location, ambiance and well, that's it.  I will NOT be going back without a fight.

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/5/2010
    1 check-in

    This place was super packed for a Thursday evening.  It's quite small but very homely.  We were fortunate to get seated not too long after our arrival since we had a reservation.  The food portions were huge.  None of us were able to finish our dishes.  I ordered the Gamberi Risotto.  It came with shrimp wrapped in proscuito and garlic risotto.  It was good but a bit salty after a few bites.  My friend ordered the Primevera Risotto and her dish was much better.  It had mushrooms, peas, and brocolli...simple but delicious.  We had gelato for dessert (hazelnut and pistachio)...both were very yummy!

    I would defnitely return to try another dish!

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/11/2007

    Oh how I love thee La Scarola, let me count the ways....

    1. Mmmmm Mmmmmm Good Italian (not pronounced EYE-talian) food. The menu is always chock full of your consistent favorites with added daily chef's specials. The calamari appetizer (get the fried, not grilled) is a sure bet as are the salads and soups. The penne alla vodka is simple but delicious, but the Gamberi Risotto is my favorite... grilled shrimp wrapped in prosciutto with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes on a bed of garlic risotto. Mama Mia bring the crash cart!!!! All of the chicken, veal, meat and fish entrees come with a small side of pasta - just perfect for a taste if you're carb shy.

    2. It's the type of place where people show up in jeans and tshirts or dresses and slacks... the decor is kind of a mish mosh with celebrity photos on the wall and classic italian style so you never feel over or under dressed.  It's laid back but still always bustling with a crowd - so make reservations!!!!

    3. The manager is adorable and a die hard Sox fan (sorry I'm biased) he always brings me and my guests over to the bar for lemon drop or sambuca shots... I've seen him do this with people who have a long wait for a table and his regular clientele alike. He's chatty, really encouraging everyone to come back and just epitomizes top notch service.  

    4. La Scarola is next door to Richard's Bar. Need I say more??? It's a great way to cap off your evening. Roll into Richard's on a full belly, saddle up next to the goomba's at the bar, order up a six pack of your favorite ghetto beer, challenge someone to eat one of their infamous hard boiled eggs and sing the rest of your night away to the Rat Pack on their jukebox which hasn't been updated since circa '66.

    5. Oh and someone had mentioned the La Scarola valet... I'm not sure if it was the same guy I had last night but he truly was fantastic. He opened the door for everyone coming and going and really worked for his tips. Plus the valet parking here is only $4.50 - where else in Chicago can we park for mere duckets like that?!?!? I can tell you where... NOWHERE!! They could easily jack up the prices and gouge us like the rest.... but they don't, how refreshing. Just like a Peroni.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/12/2010
    2 check-ins

    I totally thought I already reviewed this restaurant.  This is up there for my top 5 favorites .  It might even be my favorite place to eat in Chicago.  I was told to go here a while ago because of their pasta fagoli soup alone.  The first bite had me hooked on this place.  I have ordered several items from the menu and all of which were fantastic.  I think my favorite is the vodka sauce.   It's for sure the best Italian food in Chicago.  The meat dishes are awesome but it's really the pasta that has people coming back for more.

    So if you make a reservation, be prepared because on a Friday or Saturday night you are going to have to wait.  The guy that sits everyone is extremely friendly.  On several ocassions he has given us tequilla shots because "it's his birtthday."  when it really was my bf's bday I took him here and we have him 2 tequilla shots on the house.  :)  What is nice is that they send you over to Richards to have a drink while you wait.  It is really cramped in there but it works.  I don't mind moving over my chair for someone to walk by to stuff my face with some of the best food in the city.   Also, you will have a few meals from your left-overs so factor that in if you think it's to pricey.  bring it on!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/24/2009

    This place truly is as good as it gets.  I've been coming here for about a year and I love it more and more every time.  The service is outstanding and the food is by and large the best Italian food I have had in Chicago.

    I've come to know the owners very well, so we are always taken care of and rarely wait.  But, I will warn that if you do not make a reservation, you could easily wait an hour on a Monday night.  This place is never, ever not busy.  Sometimes aggravating, but a testament to its quality and loyal followers.  

    Anyways, the servers are fabulous and friendly, especially Eloy and Edgar.  The bus boys are also very sweet and attentive.  The staff is one of my favorite parts of the experience here.  Joey and Armando, the owning partners are two of a kind.  Super friendly and know how to run a business.  Don't be surprised if Armando wants to take shots of tequila or brandy with you.  He is a doll.

    On to the food....where to begin.  I have never, not once, had a dish that wasn't devine here.  To start, the fried calamari is outstanding as well as the antipasto and the shrimp armani (over mashed potatoes).  You can't go wrong with any of the entrees, but the best are the Penne alla Vodka (favorite), Pasta Lorenzo (spicy), Chicken Vesuvio and Gamberi Risotto (shrimp wrapped in proscuitto).  

    The drinks are fabulous, the dirty martini with blue cheese olives is a must.  

    You cannot go wrong here. One of the best restaurants in Chicago, hands down.

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 4.0 star rating
    2/24/2010

    I would never have found this place, but armed with a solid recommendation from a friend I trust, headed here on a cold Tuesday night for a 7 person business dinner.  

    The staff was friendly and incredibly accommodating as the size of our party expanded and contracted (and they sent complimentary glasses of wine to my colleague and I when it first appeared that we might get stood up entirely!)  But...time difference issues resolved...our party of (eventually) 6 sat down complete (albeit an hour late).  They could have - and probably should have - treated us worse given the reservation time and party size screwups, but they didn't, and in fact moved us to a different table when the full party got there, and held our initial order.  Very, very gracious about the entire thing.

    Grilled calamari was so good that we ordered it twice, and the sea bass special I ordered over spinach was to die for.  Had some of the veal and the linguini with clams as well, both were delicious.  Atmosphere is hilarious as well, very warm, lots of pictures on the walls, tightly packed tables, a neighborhood institution-type place, for sure.  Based on the number of celebrity photos on the walls, definitely not a secret, either.  

    Chicago is a great restaurant town, and this was a little further than I normally would have gone - but worth seeking out, definitely.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/4/2010

    Oh man.  Be still my heart!  The food?  Delicious.  The joint?  Adorable.  The Spumoni?  Best ever.  

    This place is amazing and enough people know about it that you should be prepared to wait a while for a table or to dine here off peak hours.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/13/2009
    Listed in My Neighborhood

    CELEBRITY SIGHTING ALERT:  While dining at La Scarola with my boyfriend, mom and brother I notice someone walk in who looks familiar.  But after a few glasses of wine and one excellent ketel one dirty  martini (with blue cheese stuffed olives), I just cannot place this face. And then out of nowhere the bf ID's him....Willem Dafoe.  He was in town for the International Film Festival. I heart celebrity sighting in my dear city.

    But I digress.....

    This restaurant is by far  the most excellent Italian restaurant in Chicago. Sorry Mia Francesca, Scuzzi and Maggiano's.  La Scarola will forever be my Italian lover.  Before we even ordered I was in love. The front space is tiny and filled with lots of tables. We were lucky enough to be seated right in front of the window.  Excellent people watching.  The walls are adorned with pictures of famous faces.  The smell alone makes you feel as if you stepped into an Italian grandma's kitchen after she has been cooking all day.  

    The food. Oh.My.God.  Simply the best.  They have specials that are a must.  Out of the  four of us, 3 ordered off the special menu.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/15/2012

    Excellent food, very friendly service. Had to wait 15 minutes for our table, but no big deal at all. We were a party of six, and everyone enjoyed their food. I would highly recommend the grilled calamari, vodka sauce(best I've had), and veal dishes. We will be back for sure, one of the top Italian places in the city, hands down!

  • 2.0 star rating
    12/30/2009

    I had high hopes after all of the positive reviews here. We even gave them the benefit of the doubt with their iffy phone attitude and service (rude receptionist and had to wait several minutes to be acknowledged when we arrived). Sadly, our patience was not rewarded -- the food was inconsistent (great lasagna, rubbery calamari) and a few of the dishes came out lukewarm. When we told our waiter that the calamari wasn't hot, they treated us like we were the ones that were in the wrong!

    I'd say three stars for food, but averaged with one star for service, they get a two star review.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/17/2010

    I went here for dinner last week, and had a great time. The restaurant has a dated feel and you can still smell some cigarette smoke, but you quickly forget about it once your server comes over. The tables here are close and it gets super busy, lending to a cozy atmosphere. Everyone who works here is extremely friendly and helpful.

    The food was nothing short of delicious! I have the broccoli goat cheese pasta, and our table split bruschetta and fried zucchini, all of which were big hits.

    I'd definitely return here. The service alone is worth it!

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/16/2011

    Had dinner here last night for the first time and I loved it! The servers are very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about the food they are serving. The owner is very friendly and mingles with the patrons. The prices are fair and the food is delicious. I personally had the baked clams and stuffed shrimp, a special that evening. (jumbo shrimp stuffed with crab meat with a white wine sauce!!!)

    It's obvious that this is a great restaurant because it was consistently packed the whole time we were there. I would say reservations are a must.

  • 2.0 star rating
    5/31/2012

    The food was floating in olive oil, though it was otherwise a nice place and a good value. I was expecting something else based on the reviews.

  • 2.0 star rating
    10/21/2011
    1 check-in

    ok, so without too getting much into my mediocre experience - i would say this place just has a lot of hype / and meaning for some people who, when reviewing, dont understand the concept of yelps 5 star rating system lol !
    (it explains what each star means -- hellloooo!!!)

    lack of a true welcoming "italian" feel *which is funny cause this place is run by a Luis Guzman look-a-like mexican* - la scarola just falls flat?

    crowded evenings, lack of a front of house team, basic decor - AWFUL minestrone soup, L.S failed on a couple of levels. I enjoyed the fried calamari but other than that i just didnt enjoy the subpar food/ ambience/ overall zest of the place - but then again im a snood  and spoiled californian so what the hell do i know? haha

    my meal was comped by the owner which i appreciate, i only left content not impressed.

    try another place 1st? :)

  • 3.0 star rating
    6/8/2010

    La Scarola is a good restaurant, but I wouldn't go any farther than that. Frankly I'm not sure why people are so in love with this place. Maybe people fall in love with the intimacy and 'vintage' qualities of this place, but that's really nothing new for an old Italian restaurant in the city. We didn't have any dishes that amazed or impressed or even left us wanting more, but nothing was bad either. Service was friendly and accommodating.  

    Go to La Scarola if you don't want to trek all the way down to Little Italy for some good food, a cozy atmosphere,  and decent prices.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/14/2013

    I spent a lot of time online trying to find an Italian Restaurant in Chicago that we had never been to and that had some character..I wanted palace that had charm
    And a sense of history... I wanted to take my mom and daughter someplace special for Mothers Day. I finally came across La Scarola on the Zagat reviews...I knew the minute I saw the Gallery of photos, and read the other reviews, I knew I had found my spot.  However, upon driving past the outside, we were a little put off..it's in a kind of sort of strange location, and it's very hard to see the front of the building.  But you should not let the exterior put you off. As soon as we walked in, I turned to my mom and said, "It's Perfect!" And she said, " It really is!" The three of us agreed it was adorable, and oozed with character. The menu was full of delicious sounding options all at very reasonable prices. We all ordered different things, and each was divine. The wine selection was also vast and reasonable.  Because it was Mothers Day, my mom decided to splurge and have a desert. She chose a chocolate mouse cake. All three of us shared it, and OMG , it was fabulous! The service was terrific. Our waitress totally knew her menu, and was extremely attentive and friendly. We loved this place, and will positively return!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/10/2010 Updated review

    Hands down, my favorite Italian restaurant in the city.  Wonderful for large groups or romantic dates.  & it's right next door to my favorite bar in the world.  The food is outstanding, the service is impeccable, the atmosphere is lively & yet cozy.

    Love love love love love love love.

    5.0 star rating
    2/9/2009 Previous review
    What's not to like about LaScarola?

    Answer: Nothing.

    This restaurant gets better & more charming the more I frequent.
    4.0 star rating
    6/6/2006 Previous review
    Super yummy Italian in a very close-quartered, family-esque atmosphere.  One of those places,… Read more
  • 5.0 star rating
    4/25/2009

    I had about 6 colleagues in from out of town this past week and was tasked with finding a place to eat dinner.  Trying to choose a place that 6 men will be pleased with isn't the easiest of jobs.

    I had heard about La Scarola for years but had never been -- so I decided to take a chance.  I'm glad I did.

    I called at about 4:00 in the afternoon to make a reservation for 7 and they were able to accommodate us.  We arrived right on time and our table was ready within minutes.  I don't think it's very easy to seat 7 people together in this restaurant -- but they made it work and we were all comfortable.  

    We had the sausage/peppers, grilled calamari and antipasta to start.  All were delicious. I had the grilled whitefish -- which was light but very filling. A couple of the guys asked our server to order for them -- they loved their dishes.  My boss ordered the wine -- we had a Pinot Noir and a Chianti.  Everyone was full and happy at the end of the meal.

    The atmosphere was great.  This place has a lot of character.  Our server was great.  The prices are very reasonable.  For 7 people our bill was just under $350.  I'll definitely be back and would highly recommend it for the ambiance, food and service.  Enjoy!

  • 3.0 star rating
    5/23/2010

    We had reservations for 9pm on a Saturday and didn't sit down till probably closer to 10 but that was ok with us we were in no rush. So we stood at the bar and had a glass of pinot which was like drinking manischewitz. Finally get a seat and had some of the delicious crusty bread and olive oil while we waited for our wine got the chianti this time so much better. For an appetizer we got the grilled calamari yum....for dinner I ordered the risotto with shrimp wrapped in prosciutto. The rice was ok the shrimp and prosciutto was horrible. It tasted the the shrimp had been wrapped in the prosciutto at the beginning of the day and had just been sitting on a block of ice.
    Dessert was delicious. Stuck with the classic tiramisu one because its one of my favorite desserts and two because I couldn't hear what the waitress was saying.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/29/2009

    Every time I visit Chicago I am never disappointed by the vast selections of restaurants and food. La Scarola was no exception. I came here for a company dinner. There were 14 of us which is quite an endeavor for a small restaurant. We waited 45 minutes for our table but I think that had something to do with our big group.

    We took advantage of the wait and went to the dive bar next door for a beer; I think its called Ricks but that experience can wait for its own review.

    Needless to say when we were finally seated the owner of the restaurant was very apologetic for the wait, he even comped us some appetizers for the inconvenience. We enjoyed the calamari and clams - they were very well prepared and delicious. For the main course I devoured the steak vesuvio, a generous portion of filet mignon prepared with a side of potatoes. The potatoes were delicious as was the steak. I am quite the potato fiend and these stood out quite a bit. I also had a taste of my co-workers salmon, pasta and some other type of potato. Everything was well prepared, the service was excellent except for the wait but the experience was definitely worth it.

    The next time I'm in town I would definitely go back but with a much smaller party.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/31/2011

    Decent Italian food that doesn't break the bank.  The vibe is very New Jersey with tons of photos plastered on the walls, dim lights, and tables squeezed tightly together.  As a native New Jerseyan, it made me nostalgic for home.  This place is classic Italian fare done properly - with a heavy hand.  Sauces are smothered on, cheese is baked, oil is plentiful.  Best things to order here are classics like calamari, pasta, and anitpasto.  The last time I was here I ordered the eggplant parm, which was delicious.  For $10.50, I got two giant eggplant pieces covered in baked cheese with a side of al dente pasta.  The sauce itself was tomatoey, not too sweet.  Good portion size too.

  • 2.0 star rating
    9/18/2009

    This is not about the food. Everyone knows the food here is damn good. It's not the best Italian I've ever had, but it's still damn tasty. I loved my gnocchi, and the baked clams were great. Their eggplant parmesan is not one of their best dishes, like the menu states. It was disappointing.

    This is about the service. I was happily surprised that they were able to seat us immediately at 7 pm on a Thursday. They get an A + for that, even though our table was awkwardly placed, like they just placed it there because there was extra space. Still, my hungry boyfriend was happy to be seated so quickly.

    Our server, Vera, won my affection at first. She was friendly and vivacious, and knew her stuff. But she fucked up. We ordered two glasses of wine and the baked clams to start. While we were waiting for the clams, Vera came by and took our order. I went with her recommendation, a gnocci special. The boyfriend had eggplant parmesean.  

    Here's how she screwed up:

    The wine came a right after we ordered our glasses, and the clams came about 10 minutes after we ordered them.  That's good timing I like to space my meals.

    That being said, I was less than happy when our food arrived two minutes after the clams. Vera was full of "I'm sorries", but really? I've spent 8 of my minuscule years serving, and my experience has taught me that when the app comes out too close to the entree, YOU HOLD IT IN THE KITCHEN. Don't bring it out when your guests are enjoying their appetizer. It ruins a meal to have to rush to eat your appetizer so that your dinner doesn't get cold,  and ruins an experience to have to cram so many plates on a two top. Timing, guys, it's important when putting in a ticket.  

    Now, we were nice and took it in great stride, but I wasn't as happy as I should have been. I felt rushed and crowded.I was willing to get over it, figuring that since this place is raved about they would accommodate us and give us free dessert or something for the screw up. Our check comes, and not a thing comped. Nothing, not even the clams appetizer that they rushed.

    People, that's just bad service. I'll come back, this is a great spot with cozy trimmings,  but I'll make a reservation and be sure not to order the main course until after I have my appetizer.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/15/2010

    We were supposed to have The Publican but the wait time for a table of three was one hour for a Monday night!  So we decided to try La Scarola. But the wait time here was kinda long too. It's amazing how the restaurants are so busy on random nights. No wonder Americans are so fat ehehe.

    Anyway, there was quite a long wait time for the food as well once we sat down. Maybe around 30min. But the food itself was pretty good. I had the Vitello di Franco, breaded veal with cheese and a variety of veggies and risotto and a surprise addition of basil leaves, which I love! Overall everyone's food was on the heavier side and the portions were huge! Definitely could've shared an entree.

    The one thing other than the wait time I slightly disliked about the place was the service. When they were cleaning off the bread crumbs a steak knife flew into my friend's lap cause they were doing it so quickly and they didn't even apologize!  And it seemed like the head person was almost yelling at the waiters to go faster when they were obviously going fast! As a guest you don't really want to see that.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/30/2010

    I have been meaning to go here for long time. Glad I did.

    We were running about 25 minutes late for our reservations.
    Still upon arrival we were greeted and sat immediately.  
    This place was very unique and I liked the atmosphere as soon as we walked in. The food here was amazing. We had everything, the appetizers, entrees, and dessert. Their portions are good. I did not think I'd be able to finish mine but I just could not stop eating.

    Will be back soon.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/5/2010
    1 check-in

    I really thought I already wrote a review on La Scarola and was back on to write an "update." I'm disappointed in myself that it took me this long to write one.

    No matter when you go, they are ALWAYS packed. Either you make a reservation or be prepared to wait. The first time we came here, the owner sent us next door (Richard's Bar) to wait and told us to come back in 1/2 hr. Richard's Bar is small and reminds you of a place right out of the Good Fella's movie.  

    The food at La Scarola is delicious. I think their lasagna is one of the best I've had. It got the right amount of spice, not too salty, and not too mushy - everything bite is perfection! I even moped up the sauce with the bread.

    It's a great atmosphere with wonderful people. This is a MUST try if you have not been here before.

    Oh, I forgot to mention that their portions are HUGE! It's definitely enough for 2 unless you're getting the lasagna, then you're going to want the whole thing to yourself! ;)

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/19/2009

    We walked into this restaurant without a reservation on a Saturday night, and still got a table right away. Granted, it was an extra table froma group that didn't need it, but it goes to show you that these people are here to help you.
    The service is fantastic. The host is always moving around and making sure everyone is being cared for, and the wait staff is very quick and efficient.
    And oh, the food. Amazing Bruschetta, made with fresh ingredients and bursting with flavor. I ordered the Sea Bass to try something a little different, and I was blown away.
    I wish I lived in the area so I could visit this place more often.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/24/2009

    The first time I came here was on a first date.  And I was impressed.  We had a window seat so it was more private.  I love Italian food and was impressed with the menu.  Growing up, I would always get linguine with clams or mussels and I didn't change that night.  My date (now husband!) got minestrone soup and veal.  The food was delicious and I am surprised how we were even able to talk during dinner.  I think I listened as I gorged myself on my pasta.  This is such a nice place for a date, a lovely meal out and with a group of friends.  It is tight seating but still comfortable.  

    The true test for me is to recommend Italian restaurants to my parents and see what they say.  Both my parents are Italian (I'm adopted) and my dad absolutely enjoyed himself at this restaurant.  He loved it.  Success!  It is hard to please my dad with good Italian food since he had the home made version all his life.  So, an extra star for you La Scarola for impressing my father!

  • 1.0 star rating
    8/15/2011

    First and LAST experience at La Scarola.

    Just...wow...and not a good wow either. My girlfriend and I were in the mood for italian food and decided La Scarola would be perfect. I work in the neighborhood and always see how busy they are. After our experience I can't figure out why that is.

    I was immediately concerned when a server just pointed to a table, didn't even bother walking us over. Then our server walks over with a scowl on his face as if he was holding in a compacted bowel movement. Couldn't have looked less thrilled to be at work. My girlfriend and I weren't that hungry and decided to share an entree. When I asked how large the pasta dishes were the server just shrugged his shoulders. I think a caveman could've come up with a more helpful response. Our server was absolutely terrible and I have no idea how he manages to stay employed. He left a pile of dirty plates on the table so long we had to ask a different server to take them for us. Never brought us more bread. The foodrunner was just as bad. When the beast of a woman brought our food she literally just dropped it in front of us and walked off as if we had somehow inconvenienced her. Just terrible. I almost forgot about the busser who decided my girlfriends shoulder was a good place to rest his ass while he talked to people at the bar.

    Now onto the food...and by food I mean over priced, under cooked, watery spaghetti with meatballs that tasted like week old ground beef. There wasn't a tomato chunk in the sauce. I looked hard. They charge $14 for something that looks like the sunday dinner at a downstate prison. I'm positive canned spaghetti from Chef Boyardee is considerably more satisfying than the slop we were fed. We would've been open to ordering more but honestly were turned off as soon as we sat down,making us eager to get out of there as quickly as possible.

    All in all, the service is beyond awful. I don't think I saw a single employee with a smile on their face. I have never been treated like that at a restaurant nor have I been served food that disgusting before. I will never set foot in that joke of an italian restaurant again. There are tons of better options and I'd suggest looking around before wasting your money.

    The only good thing about that place is when you're getting up to leave.

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/22/2010

    This is another one of those places that has been hyped to such an extent via reviews & word of mouth that I was expecting to burst into the hallelujah chorus at some point. Not so much.

    It was a Saturday so I made a REALLY early reservation (5:30) because I've heard/read about how packed & cramped it can be (this part is true). It was a b-day celebration & family was in town so I didn't want to feel rushed. I think that's impossible here - there is a constant sense of urgency. Our pre-dinner cocktails came immediately and then it was, "Can I take your order? Can I take it now? Okay, what about now? Are you ready now?" Once the order was taken our food arrived at lightning speed. We could just FEEL them willing us to eat faster & get out so they could turn our table. It didn't help that the hungry people standing at the tiny cramped bar waiting for a table where doing the same.

    The bus boys have it down like a NASCAR pit crew! We watched tables turn in the blink of an eye. That part was quite entertaining. I must say this rushy - rush is a pet peeve of mine and cost them a star.

    I ordered a dirty martini which was not as cold as I like & served sans dirtiness - oh well, more vodka for me! It took the edge off the hurried feel and the blue cheese stuffed olives were excellent.  

    We had the grilled calamari as an app which I thought was under seasoned and a bit rubbery. I've had better - I've had worse. I like Topo Gigio's much better. The shrimp appetizer - again I thought was a bit over cooked but very tasty & everyone enjoyed the mashed potatoes & greens.

    The entrees arrived piping hot, abundant & good but not great. I had the sea bass & it was cooked/seasoned well but the accompanying spinach, cherry tomatoes, seemed sad and over cooked. It seems they are moving fast in the kitchen too - cooking at very high temps & not wasting time getting it to the table!

    The tiramisu was excellent & the owner comped us a couple of shots for our birthdays. That was swell!

    La Scarola would have received four stars if not for the pit crew vibe. I will give this place another try but my socks were not knocked of this time.

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/25/2010

    My husband and I went with another couple. We liked the food, they didn't.

    Why:
    Their food had alot of cheese and it was big portions.
    Their eggplant penne pasta was encrusted and deep fried.
    We ordered the shrimp wrapped with bacon and it was huge the portion.
    Their chicken marsala was perfect with sauce and the chicken was not dried.

    For those who are on a diet and weight conscience, do not come here. It's not for you.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/24/2012

    Was referred by a friend....Thank God I was !!  The Owner was an outstanding person and the Food was even Better !!   Great Italian in a casual setting.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/22/2012

    true Italian dinning. Loved the red sauce and calamari! Pay with cash.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/23/2009

    This has got to be the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy so far. It makes me appreciate Chicago just that much more.

    Anything you get here is going to be very, very good (and you'll be able to take home leftovers). Be careful not to fill yourself on the endless amounts of bread they give you though. I had the chicken vesuvio and the calamari as an appetizer which were both memorable.

    Bonus: I came on Halloween night and met actor Ron Perlman (Hellboy)! What a treat. Apparently, this place is a frequent for some famous faces...

    Be sure to make reservations as this place is always packed!

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/21/2009

    I really wanted to love La Scarola, didn't mind the hour wait, thought that Armondo the Manger was great, sat at my table to say hello.

    Everything seemed to be Americanized!  "Like Italian by way of the midwest"

    Had the house salad, very plain, nothing special.

    The bread was okay, not the best

    The grilled octopus was great!

    The penne with pesto, shrimp and Scallops was swimming in oil and didn't taste fresh.

    The canolli was too tough to break into.

    Great atmosphere, but the food was not top notch.

    P.S. The servings are too big and should be split by two people

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/9/2011

    Loud, cramped, boisterous atmosphere where you can't easily carry a conversation. Heavy, rich and cheesy food. So, it depends on if those are the types of things you're looking for. I feel like my experience was just "meh" - not horrible, but not great either. There are SO many great Italian restaurants in Chicago... I'm just going to keep exploring!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/13/2009
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    Went here for a work lunch with my 4-person department and was extremely surprised and happy about the quality of the food.

    The atmosphere is pretty cheesy and the photos on the wall are hilarious, but I see this all as a restaurant spending their money on what really matters, the food. You will definitely see lots of men in black turtlenecks with too much gold jewelry, but that just makes it more fun. Try to play a game where you spot who could be an extra on the Sopranos!

    Everything we had was very good, but the two of us who ordered off the specials menu definitely got the best deal. I had a homemade gnocchi in a jalapeno cream pesto with sundried tomatoes and Italian sausage. Oh my god. It was the best gnocchi I've ever had. Very light and incredibly smooth textured. I was in heaven! The specials also come with soup which happened to be a very hearty and VERY flavorful lentil veggie soup that I could have had as a meal. The portions are also very large. I couldn't finish my gnocchi even with the help of all my coworkers!

    The other special ordered at the table was the whitefish. Another homerun dish. Extremely flavorful and huge portions. We all wanted a taste, so it's a good thing there was enough to share. YUM!

    Everything was very good, but I'd recommend asking your server what to try. He pointed us in the direction of our two favorite dishes that day.

    Prices were extremely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food served. We were there at lunch, so I don't know if they have a separate menu for dinner. It didn't seem like it, though. The specials were $12-15 and most menu items hovered around $10-15

    The next time I've got the taste for Italian, I'm definitely heading to La Scarola!

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/18/2012

    Absolutley loved this place!!!

    The place is not a looker and I have been to mant Michellin star restaurants and have not rated them 4-5 stars.

    Forget the service and the ambiance go for the food!!!!

    I'm usually a stickler about service but it's worth the finger licking good Italian food you will be served.

    The grilled calamari was unreal if you like the tecture of calamari. It was so finley charged it melted in your mouth.

    We also orderered knoki with penne and Shrim in Vodka sauce. OMG I ate paste the next two day's. They were so full of taste and amazing!!!

    I will go back there any day for a delicious serving of fine Italian food.

    Highly recomended...

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/18/2009

    I spent an hour on the elliptical trainer and burnt 630 calories in anticipation for La Scarola. My overindulgence was one to remember! As someone who has cut out carbs, sugar, and anything with taste for the past few weeks, this was heaven.

    After reading the yelp reviews we were prepared for mass chaos and a wait. That's ok, though, we wore our drinking shoes and hit up Richards for a couple. Half an hour after our reservation time we went back and they had a table open right int he middle of all the action.

    We started with the fried calamari, which had a delicious BBQ cocktail sauce. For my entree I had the Capellini Fra Diavolo, which is shrimp in a nice spicy sauce. It was very good, not greasy or oily. My boyfriend had them make something garlicky with shrimp. They did not disappoint with his meal either. I really want to try the gnocchi when we go back.

    We finished with a perfect tiramisu, a free lemon drop shot, and a hug from the super friendly owner or chef(?). We will be back.....soon.

  • 3.0 star rating
    5/23/2009

    Very heavily Americanized Italian food in humongous portions in a super-Chicago setting patronized by lots of people who seem to have watched the Sopranos and decided that they would try to dress and act like Italo-Ameicano mobsters.  

    I tried their special the night I went  - pork chops.  They were really good and I got more than double the amount I expected to get.  All the portions were huge so I suppose its a great value for money place.  I think we also got grilled calamari which was really good.  

    Just don't expect to be transported to Italy at this place, top to bottom it is really American Italian food.  If that's what you are looking for then this place is five-star (better than places like Maggiano's and Carmine's).

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/29/2011
    1 check-in

    Great little Italian restaurant.   The decor is absolutely ridiculous cheestastic decorating... but the food is amazing.  Seems like a hang-out from Goodfellas.  Definitely off the beaten path, and hidden away.  I recommend finding it, you will not be disappointed.  I ordered the chicken - which was a huge portion!  I had enough to take home for a full second meal.  The menu is handwritten too - which was a nice touch!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/19/2011

    This place makes it worth the extra miles I have to run after eating there. They are just a traditional italian place who does it exceptionally well. When you walk in you will see pictures all over the wall of celebrities that have been to eat there. I love the antipasto platter as well as their Chianti by the glass. I always go for the penne alla vodka with shrimp. It's also great the next day. La Scarola is always a place to go to when you just want to have some italian comfort food.

  • 1.0 star rating
    3/2/2009

    How the mighty have fallen....

    What was once a premier Italian dining experience in the city of Chicago, has now been reduced to an establishment one level above "The Olive Garden."

    Food: same spices in almost every dish
    Service: simply "turning tables"....before your entree is complete, dessert is offered....before your dessert is complete, staff is standing over your shoulder waiting to clear the table.

    Awful food, awful ambience....god bless the staff in there who I'm sure are only doing what they're instructed to.....over priced - over hyped...

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/3/2012

    This place is good. The portions are large and delicious. It's not the best place I've ever been for Italian, but it is good and it is off the beaten path, and is worth going to if you live in the area.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/24/2009

    This is a FANTASTIC restaurant.  When you go to La Scarola you are not going for the up to date styling or posh atmosphere.....you are going for an authentic lesson in Italian Cuisine accompanied by a hometown atmosphere and a possible tequila frenzy. (the manager seems to toast with me every time I visit)

    This was my third visit to La Scarola and have to admit that I was equally impressed with the third visit as I was the first and second.  I called for a quick reservation for 2 in the next 15 minutes if available....they quickly obliged and my partner and I hurried over.

    We both ordered specials that we in-turn split on one anthers plate.  The food is as authentic as my great aunt's Italian Ravioli.  The service was prompt and the servers had no problem jumping in if their counterpart was busy.

    I highly recommend a visit and would not be surprised if it became a local favorite for you also.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/4/2013

    I've only been here once, and I had the 'Pasta Lorenzo'.... it was the BEST pasta I've ever had (not exagerating at all). Go there right now and get the pasta lorenzo. I would give it 5 stars, but I need to try it one more time and get another dish (even though i'll probably get the lorenzo again), and it was a bit pricey?

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 5.0 star rating
    11/22/2009

    So, we read through a couple of reviews before going here, and I was somewhat concerned with the service side of this place, but decided to give it a try anyway.  We're SO glad that we did.  When something sucks, I say so.  HOWEVER, when they do well, to be fair you also have to say so too, right?

    They did very, very well with the service on our visit.

    So, we had reservations at 9:30 on a Saturday night. Again, I thought, "uh-oh... I wonder when they'll seat us..."  So, we showed up a half-hour early and checked with the host, who said, "Might be able to seat you right now.  Does that table (he points) work ok?"  He pointed to a table at what was probably the busiest intersection in the restaurant.

    Hungry, we said, "Sure.  Easy."  I was ready to have my coat knocked around and wine spilled on me, as I read in other reviews...

    Didn't have a single problem with either on our visit.  On the contrary, we overheard him tell our waiter, "Make sure you take care of these folks," and he brought over two mini-sniffers of very smooth cognac.  And though we were at the busy point, it was ok.  

    Do you remember that scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," where the whole family is on the front lawn BBQing and chasing each other around?  Well, that's what this felt like, with the staff swirling around us like a carnival, each staff member more friendly than the last.

    As for the food... my wife had the sea bass, which was very, very good. It was both moist and flaky (how DO they DO that???), and would be my choice next time we go back.  I'm a risotto-freak, so I got the risotto primavera.  When the plate came, I was staring at this MOUNTAIN of food.  Literally, it had to be at least 5-6 servings of risotto.  Usually I'm used to something about the size of your fist.  This was litterally closer to the size of my head... not kidding.

    So, let's say the portions are VERY generous, even for midwestern Chicago. The risotto, while not the most flavorful I've ever had, was pretty decent, with a lot of good veggies and some nice goat cheese mixed in.

    Overall, if we'd just be talking about the food, this would be a four-star effort or so.  Good, but not ranked among the best.  HOWEVER, it gets a five because of how much fun we had here.  Don't expect a formal Italian restaurant.  This place is busy.  And loud.  And you'll probably end up talking to the table next to you.  And if you're like me, you'll probably enjoy the hell out of dinner.

    Give 'em a try.  And tell them Jeneric sent ya'... :)

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/1/2009

    Great, boisterous, tasty, and authentic Italian restaurant.  Crusty bread, great sauces, good portions, and friendly staff.  I've been happy with every dish I ordered.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/18/2012

    HUGE fan. Went here for Valentine's Day this year and i was really looking forward to it but hesitant because of some of the reviews. Let me tell you, I did not wait 1 minute to sit down, the staff was wonderful, the food was AMAZING. I wasn't a big fan of the grilled calamari but the Penne Alla Vodka was phenomenal and the Chicken Vesuvio was great too. They gave us two complimentary chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. It was great, we will be back, and we will be back SOON.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/16/2010
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    My favorite Italian place in the city - and I've been to Italian Village, Spiaggia (which, given, is a completely different experience) etc. Mary B. is right - the grilled calamari are a must-have for an appetizer. Nothing like their fried cousins.

    As far as the menu goes, I've gone there a million times and tried nearly everything they have. You literally cannot go wrong. Their veal dishes are my absolute favorite, and the waiters will never hesitate to recommend them as they are among their top offerings. The veal chop ala Gabe is probably tops on my list, but like I said, they are all magnificent. Wine list is also good so you won't have any trouble finding anything from the $35 all the way to top-end selections.

    You will need to make reservations as walking in is not recommended. It is very busy. The tables are very close together so it doesn't have the feel of an "upscale" place, although the atmosphere is thick with the feel of authentic Italian dining. The real allure here is the food. There are plenty of pictures of famous folks with the owners that line the walls. Always something interesting to find no matter where you are seated.

    Whether you make a reservation or not, be prepared to wait a few minutes for your table. It's generally no more than five minutes, although I have waited a half hour before (again, this only happened once, but was frustrating. The host did give us all a free drink when we were finally seated, however, so that helped a little).

    All in all, you will not go wrong with this place. I can't believe more people don't know about it, although I'm not complaining as reservations are normally never a problem. A great date place, from a first date to a regular spot. After you're done - head next door to Richard's Tavern for a drink. It's definitely a "dive" kinda place, but the bartenders (Frank during the week and Rocky on the weekends) are among the friendliest you'll find in the city, especially if you get to know them. Great jukebox with classics like Sinatra and Motown as well. Don't pass it up!

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/28/2009

    The Quick and Dirty: Excellent food.  Somewhat modest prices.  Short wine list.  Notably loud inside.  Very, very tight seating.  Gigantic portions.

    If the food wasn't so good, the seating arrangements would otherwise keep me from returning.  That said, I'd probably order take-out rather than go there with a group of more than two.  Not sure what this place is like on off-peak days, but it was literally hard to move to and from the table.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/6/2013

    Great food!  Great Service! The place is a little cozy inside but that is not such a bad thing when it is cold out.  Affordable prices and large portions.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/11/2008

    This one of those places that, were I a country-hopping world traveler, I would be looking for when I visit Chicago. "Hole in the wall" and "favorite spot for the locals" would be in my vocabulary were I searching for a place like this. So would "absolutely fantastic, zomg food that will leave you so fat and happy you'll need to do tequila shots at the bar".

    While quite busy at times, it provides for a great atmosphere. And sometimes, I feel my Italian roots coming alive if it's the right night.

    *a little side tip - scoot out of here early and zip over to the Iguana Cafe across the street if you want to complete the culinary delights. Peanut butter and Gnutella crepes?? Oh yes*

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/14/2010

    Trying to take people from out of town for a memorable Chicago italian meal? La Scarola is the place to take them.

    I was rather reluctant to actually review La Scarola but because of the way any of my party's and I have been treated here in the past, I decided i should, despite the fact that its already busy and i don't want it to get even busier, cause im selfish about La Scarola, and by all means if you want to keep the wait times at maggianos up, please continue to go there, but just know that La Scarola kicks maggianos' ass in every way you think of a restaurant, not to mention foodwise.

    There is charm, charisma, nostalgia, and a lively somewhat sophisticated crowd, but whatever category you fit into, I think you will be welcomed with open arms. The manager does so damn much to make you feel at home. For a place thats been open since 03' they have the successful formula to bring customers back down pat.

    Service is always awesome here, such friendly wait-staff, everybody knows their dishes and will be able to explain exactly what it is, and recommend something you will like

    Everything we have ever got here was awesome, and had to be taken home, only to taste even better the next day, heres some recommendations, Start with the Pasta & Fagiole, Cannellini beans, pasta and cheese finished with basil and wine, extremely tasty and can be filling so if you have a small stomach maybe get that and a asparagus or house salad, but if you are ready to eat like i usually am try the Chicken Vesuvio always a good choice, linguini and clams are also very good. The calamari is also excellent, breaked and soft, great tasting, and brushetta also very good.

    Ultimately, my favorite dish hands down is the Penne alla Vodka with
    Shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus & arugula in creamy vodka sauce, tossed with penne pasta, it is out of control awesome, everyone I've recommended this to has thought its great as well, get it! Chicken Parmasian is also a good bet, for me who normally takes little chances, its a ton of chicken.

    Moderately priced, but well worth the dollars. Id say most of the time we will leave there having spent around $30-35 person with a couple drinks, and maybe something special from the house as well

    You may have to wait but its worth any wait which will probably be under an hour during the weekends, but if you do have to wait go next door to either emmitts pub or Richards both have equal amounts of unpretentious chicago charm to them, and should keep the night running smoothly even with a group of peeps. Definitely a meal you and your guests won't forget. Enjoy

  • 1.0 star rating
    3/2/2009

    Wow, what a disappointment.  I would give this place zero  stars, if possible, but our waiter was nice...and that goes a long way in my book.    We went on a Friday night.  The place was packed.  I thought that was a good sign, but it became very apparent, very quickly, that they were simply turning tables.   There were four of us, and i have to say, our food was awful.  I had the Pasta Lorenzo, as per the waiter's recommendation.  It was too spicy/hot to eat.  And i LIKE spicy.   It was literally so hot, i could only have a few bites.  One of our party had a seafood pasta special, and hers, too, was too hot to eat.  My husband had the risotto, which was so incredibly salty, that you couldn't eat it.   I had dessert, a chocolate mousse cake, and it tasted like something store bought.  I could have made better myself, and I don't bake.

    I feel like this was such a waste of a night out.   AND, on top of all that, the place was expensive!    There are so many other better places you can go eat in Chicago.  I have no idea why this place was crowded.    One of our dinner guests had been to this place years ago, and said that he couldn't believe how much it had changed.  I guess the current popularity is based on the nostalgia of days past.  Don't waste your time, and don't waste your money.  There are too many other amazing options in this city. Especially when it comes to Italian food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/11/2010

    This is the best hidden Italian gem in the city!  When my husband and I are in the mood for GOOD Italian, we automatically head here!  We can't get enough of their Bruschetta and Penne alla Vodka!  The Bruscetta has been FANTASTIC every single time!  The bread is sliced perfectly and has that little bit of crunch when you bite into it.  The topping consists of roughly chopped tomatoes, basil and garlic.  The topping is the perfect amount to fit in your mouth!   However, the key ingredient to this is the fruity olive oil!  The generous amount drizzled all over definitely makes this dish!  It's just too bad that whenever I go there it's with my husband so I have to share  with him.  It's a good thing you get 4 in an order.  

    If you're a fan of Penne Alla Vodka, you definitely have to try it here!  My husband orders this every time and every time he goes home with a smile on his face!  This dish has an excellent combination of large shrimps, bits of asparagus, large amounts of penne pasta of course and other tasty ingredients.  

    The only improvement this restaurant needs is space.  Because it's so popular you can wait up to an hour to be seated on a Wednesday night!  They do take reservations but you can still end up waiting.  I forgot to mention that they have a great selection of wine by the glass. I would recommend the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay.  You can't beat $7 a glass, especially in the city!

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/13/2009

    Went here on a packed Thursday night, and when this place gets crowded, it gets crowded. I had trouble maneuvering through the very tight quarters, especially near the bar/restroom area.  Also, their seating "system" appears to be mostly luck-based.  When we gave our name, they didn't even write anything down, just told us to wait at the bar and come back in "about 30 minutes". Ooookay.  When we came back, we happened to be spotted by a random waiter who offered us a table that had been open since we arrived.

    The food is where La Scarola shines.  I ordered the Pasta Vesuvio and was impressed.  The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and it was perfectly complemented with a garlic and wine sauce.  Each entree is enough for two meals, or one if you're really hungry.  For dessert, I ordered a cannoli, which comes garnished with a maraschino cherry on each end and powdered sugar sprinkled around the plate.  It was crunchy and tasty, but not worth it, in my opinion.  There are better cannoli options in this area.

    Go here if you want classic high-quality Italian food, as well as the excitement of possibly sitting next to one of Chicago's mob bosses.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/25/2009

    Although I haven't been here in AGES, this is by far, one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago. A colleague of mine had taken us here for a business dinner and WOW. Yes, the location is small and can be a bit noisy- but - it just seems RIGHT when you are there. You feel like you are in a family 'joint' and everyone knows everyone. That is the vibe I get when I'm there. And the food is impeccable. My favorite is the vodka sauce, but I've tasted off the plates of my colleagues and everything was TO DIE FOR. Highly recommend stopping here for a dinner that will make you want to return again and again.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/7/2011

    This is probably the best authentic Italian restaurant that I've ever been visited, I always try to hit it up when I am in Chicago. Their veal is incredible, I think the Veal Chop alla Armani is the best thing you can get (and one of the best things you can eat period). Their risotto always has a lot of flavor and is cooked to perfection and the sausage and peppers appetizer is incredible! The atmosphere is a little hectic, but it is casual and the place has a ton of character. It seems like every waiter that works there has been there since I started going. They also have a great wine list!

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/24/2009

    Went here on a Friday night after hearing forever that it was a must.  

    We had a 730 reservation and were quickly moved thru a packed dinning room to the bar.  The host, who since he was in all the pics on the wall must own the joint.  He told us it would only be a minute.  We ordered a glass of wine while waiting and within seconds the owner hands us a shot of tequila as an apology.  Awesome, i mean i was fine with waiting as its a Friday night but this was a nice touch.

    We were sat maybe 10  minutes later.  I already knew i had to order the grilled calamari appetizer and the lady ordered the pasta fagioli.  The calamari was a disappointment, not that it wasn't good but it was a little rubbery and not worth the hype.  Maybe coming on a packed night was the reason.  The fagiloi was amazing...so tasty, full of all kinds of flavor and it really should get more props.

    Our waiter was pretty cool, he seemed like a nice guy but was obviously in the weeds and really lacked attention.  

    For entrees we had the veal, thin, covered in garlic, fresh provolone, tomato, and set over asparagus and spinach and was served with a side of risotto.  We also had the portobello gnocchi with sausage tossed in a garlic butter...so good but the sausage was a little dry.  

    Portions are huge so keep that in mind if you're are a dish splitter.

    Capped the night off with a cannoli that was pretty good but I'm not a big desert guy so don't take my word for that part.

    Overall the food is outstanding, i just took issues with the layout of tables, and the poor service.  But as i said, maybe a weeknight would be a better choice.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/23/2012

    I love this place more and more each time I go, and frankly cannot get enough of it!! The food is outstanding, and their specials are equally amazing.  Has to be one of the best vodka sauces in the city, and the whitefish is my attempt at the healthy portion of my food order...it is excellent as well!  Although the place is not small, it isn't gigantic either so on busy nights please expect a bit of waiting for your reservation and it can get a bit crowded.  Richard's Bar next door is an excellent way to spend the time waiting for your table.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/17/2010

    What an awesome hidden gem!  We came here on a Saturday night, Valentine's Day weekend.  The place was solidly packed at 6:45 for our 7 o'clock resv.   Seated us in 5 minutes.  Tried to rush us a bit, but we just told the waiter that we wanted to take our time, drink a bottle of wine, and just enjoy.

    And with that, we did!  I'll skip right to the entrees, which are amazing.  I had the Penne Sinatra.  It was a special of scallops, shrimp, mussells, in a vodka cream sauce.  Damn, I could take a bath in this!  It was so freakin' good.   My wife had the meatballs stuffed with ricotta, served over angel hair with marinara.  It was excellent.  The meatballs were huge!  She ate one and took two home.  

    We were lingering after dessert and coffee, waiting for my gal to finish her wine.  The owner came over and told us he really needed the table, and could he buy us a drink at the bar.  Sure you can!  We sat at the bar with a shot of Sambucca.  We were half way done, when he walked past, saw the shot glasses and got angry.."No...this is not what I wanted for you!!!"  a snap of his fingers and a few words exchanged with a staff member, and we then had snifters of Sambucca set before us.   What a class act!  You treat your customers like gold, and your business becomes golden.
    What a concept!
    Visit La Scarola...you will not be disappointed! The food is utterly amazing!

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/20/2008 Updated review

    Okay, here's what I know about La Scarola, having eaten there about once a month for the last year and a half!

    If you're like most folks, you fall into one of the following two categories:

    A) If you're shy about butter, oil, and calories, DO NOT EAT HERE!!!

    B) If you don't care about breaking all the rules every once in a while, then prepare yourself for a decadent mouthgasm, and head to La Scarola.

    If you don't like being in HIGHLY crowded situations, I suggest you avoid going after 6 on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. My best advice is to shoot for an early dinner---it's very pleasant between 5 and 6.

    If you like being in very crowded situations with loud, fun people, and you are in the mood for man-hugs and free tequila shots, don't be shy and head over during the crunchy hours mentioned above.

    It appears that anyone who has written a bad review about La Scarola complains about the busy-ness, or the oily-ness. I don't know how these people were not warned. I don't know how anyone could expect anything different. It's an ITALIAN restaurant, not a vegan mosque.

    La Scarola is not for shy people who want to have a precious restaurant experience. It's a very lively, boisterous and friendly place.

    I love it!!!

    5.0 star rating
    6/22/2008 Previous review
    La Scarola is the stuff of dreams. The Fajoule (sp?) and Minestrone are amazing soups. My favorite… Read more
  • 5.0 star rating
    10/30/2008

    Being suburbanites, my wife and I are accustomed to the "big box" sorts of chain Italian restaurant. No, we don't always go to freakin' Olive Garden, but we've never found that nice, small, classically Italian restaurant with the family owned feel that you see in movies like Godfather. After a while, we thought maybe they weren't real.

    I was, however, introduced to La Scarola for a business lunch. Visually, it was everything I had hoped for... small, cozy place tucked into a larger building, exposed brick walls, pictures of famous patrons on the walls, the lingering smell of garlic and pasta.

    And the food? Oh, the food. I ordered the Pasta Niko and was floored. Shells in a light cream sauce with a ton of vegetables and sliced sausage that was to die for.

    I want more.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/14/2011
    1 check-in

    Great food and service. The mussels were perfect.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/7/2010 Updated review

    With another friend visiting who said she loved Italian I thought of La Scarola immediately.  We went there on a Tuesday night and it was still busy as usual.  While service can be a little on the slow side at times, the food is still outstanding.  This time we all went the pasta route.  We started off with grilled calamari. My friend and I both had the meat lasagna and my boyfriend had the risotto.  We had a tiramisu for dessert.  Excellent.  I am not usually one to get lasagna at a restaurant because i typically like the one I make better.  This one was very cheesy, plenty of sauce and meat which is what I am looking for in a lasagna.  My boyfriends risotto was very creamy and he enjoyed it.  He has a large appetite and even he could only get half way through the meal.  The dessert was also great, didn't taste too syrupy as I have found at other places.

    My friend visiting from DC liked the place so much she wanted to go back 2 days later!

    Keep up the good work La Scarola!

    4.0 star rating
    2/24/2010 Previous review
    The best Sea Bass I have ever had! And I have had it at many different places!

    I moved to Chicago a…
    Read more
  • 3.0 star rating
    12/15/2008

    I was taken here for my birthday; cute, but I can easily name 5-10 restaurants that would be better suited for a birthday celebration.  

    I love the decor of the restaurant and the staff were friendly...not great, not bad.  The tables were too close for comfort so I grew a wee bit agitated by the table near us and their unruly child.  

    Decent gnocchi w/goat cheese...i'd go back if I were in the neighborhood, but I don't think i'd go out of my way to get here...

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/11/2013

    Forgedddaboutit!!  Best Italian in Chicago.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/20/2008

    I've only tried La Scarola for take-out so far but definitely want to go back and experience it in person sometime soon. I tried the Penne alla Vodka and the Chicken Vesuvio and both were really well done. I also tried their cannoli which (although I can't help but compare it to the better ones I've had in Boston) was really tasty.

    1/30/09 - Went to La Scarola for take-out again. This time had the Gamberi Risotto and the Escarole, Sausage & Beans app. Both were wonderful!!

  • 1.0 star rating
    7/29/2008

    So I made my Friday night reservation for 8:30.  It was a first date so I wanted it to be as good as the dumbasses on Zagat said it was.  The size of the crowd waiting outside made me nervous from the start.  I also didn't like that nobody told me it was skank and chach night.  Now I had to try extra hard to focus on my date while every girl walking by was in a smurf dress.

    We didn't get seated until 9:30 despite the reservation.  The maitre d was apologetic, but he still seated us right in front of the entry door that kept opening and blowing away our napkins.  I don't think I wore enough hair gel to get a good seat.  Rodrigo or Gabriela (Can't remember the host's name) gave us each a shot of tequila for the trouble.  I had to force that down so my date didn't think I was a complete pansy.

    We ordered a bottle of wine from our waiter Mario.  When he brought it back he wasted no time spilling it all over the table and my shirt.  Luckily, date's clothing was spared.  He wiped it up and told me that in his country that was a sign of good luck.  In my country that's a sign that you need a new shirt.  Then Rodrigo or Gabriela chewed Mario out right in front of our table and we got to look on as Mario swallowed his pride and unwillingly paid for our bottle of wine.

    As for the entree's, I had the beef bracciole.  It was just pasta, sauce and some rolled beef with the same flavors I can get from an expensive jar of grocery store pasta sauce.  The beef wasn't tender and all I tasted was a bland sauce.  Date's pasta was similarly saturated and slippery.  (She didn't tell me it wasn't any good until our 6th date so as not to offend me).  

    I left tired, chianti stained and unwilling to ever go back.  And, date dumped me a couple days ago.  I've decided to blame La Scarola.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/19/2009

    A group of us went here for my boyfriend's bday.  I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly our party was sat!  I made reservations but I know this place can fill up quickly and I anticipated a little wait.

    For apps we had the calamari and stuffed mussels, they were yummy.  I choose to have linguini and white clam sauce, it was ok.  My boyfriend had a spicy shrimp dish that I almost took away from him :)   The wine selection was pretty good, there was plenty flowing!!  For dessert they made a nice platter of various cakes and tiramisu to sample.  

    Price wise, this place is great.  We had a party of ten and ate plenty, we surely drank enough and even got our sweet tooth taken care of for $80 a piece including tip.  

    The only drawback was that the restaurant is bright and loud.   I hesitated in having the party here due to the aforementioned, overall it was a hit.  The service was prompt, overall the food great and left with a full belly and a wine buzz.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/8/2009

    This restaurant makes me proud to be a Chicagoan.  

    First of all, I did not arrive in the best of moods.  I had just finished work, it was late, the restaurant was super-crowded (make reservations) - and I do not like crowds.  However, I was won over quite quickly.  

    The food is amazing.  Authentic.  Huge servings, but nothing is heavy, over-salty, or over-sauced.  I had the escarole and beans app, plus the salmon mondelli entree.  Enough to last for tomorrow's lunch, and I cannot wait!  

    Though the restaurant is crowded, its boisterous atmosphere puts you in a good mood.  What put this experience over-the-top for me was the owner, Armando.  He came to the table, sat down as if he had known us for years, served us amazing tequila, made us laugh, and made us feel special.  This is a man who knows how to run a restaurant business, and knows how to treat people like family and MAKE THEM WANT TO COME BACK.  Which I will.  As soon as possible.

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/24/2009

    FOOD:
    we've only been here once, and though it was enjoyable it wasn't very memorable. the seafood dishes we had were decent; the sea bass was cooked just right and the mussels were flavorful. the pork dish, however, left something to be desired.  even down to the bread that they give you was not impressive- a bit stale and kind of cold.

    SERVICE:
    our waiter was nice and all, but we felt like he was trying to make the place seem more pretentious than it really was. it was pretty annoying and to be honest that's the thing that bothered me most about this restaurant.

    AMBIANCE:
    besides the waiter, the ambiance was casual.  there was a good mix of people around us- from older business men to a big family to some thirty-something women. it's "cozy" which, nicely put, just means cramped. it does feel like you're sitting in an older restaurant, which i think is the appeal to most people.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/21/2011

    I like it.  A little old school but thats part of the vibe.  Food is solid and the service, although not very polished, is good.  I would recommend it for some good hearty food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/14/2011

    Amazing!!! I can't believe this was my first time at La Scarola. Everything was absolutely delicious! I had a bean soup (so good!), grilled octopus (great!), some shrimp and mashed potato appetizer (damn good!) and we shared a jalapeño pesto dish with scallops. I'm drooling writing this review. I had an amazing time and will definitely be back. It was well worth all my exercising and dieting. Give it a try! All the negative reviews are really shocking.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/11/2008

    I'm in love with one dish in particular at La Scarola...

    The "Veal Chop Alla Gabe"!!  It's a veal chop that's pounded thin, breaded, pan-fried, and served with a garlic, lemon, parsley, olive oil sauce.  Diced sauteed potatoes are on the side.  A very simple dish that's made perfect each time.  You must be a garlic lover, though, because there are yummy bits of garlic everywhere, including the potatoes.  I'm not one to cook veal at home, so ordering this dish is a treat for me.

    We've also tried the chicken vesuvio (another garlicky dish), and it was excellent!  You can't go wrong with this dish.  Another classic.  They also offer several other chicken, veal, fish, and pasta entrees.  La Scarola is always crowded, so definitely make reservations.  The bar is quite small and hectic during the dinner rush.  While you wait for your table, you can drink wine and look at the walls covered with photos of celebrities who've been there.  Yes, it's kinda cheesy, but cool nonetheless.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/19/2008 Updated review

    I'll still keep the four star rating because of the food. After all eating out is all about the food.

    I have to say they are consistent when it comes to service, we didn't get the snap, snap this time. However we got the you're lucky to be eating a meal here. What's with the attitude?

    Hey wait staff...you're the lucky ones that the food is so good, it's why you're able to make a living.

    4.0 star rating
    11/21/2007 Previous review
    When a place has this many reviews, I sometimes just skip adding another unless, something real good… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    7/21/2010

    i went with a group of co-workers for lunch yesterday to celebrate a birthday (what up, carrie!), and it was amazeballs.  8 of us came around 1p.  the decor was friendly and warm - random pics of celebrities such as david copperfield, randy jackson, blonde chicks with big boobs, etc.  the table cloths were "italian" - picnicky, vinyl.  charming.

    carrie is too cool.  she ordered grilled calamari (as opposed to fried), which wasn't on the menu.  it was GREAT.  i'm always a fan of fried everything, so grilled cal isn't something i always order.  it really was fantastic.  MMMMM!

    i had the pasta niko for my entree.  JMJ (jesus mary joseph).  it was SO good.  flavorful sausage, sauce, veggies.  it was SO good.  a bit heavy for lunch, but still really great.  

    i ate about 1/2 of it, took it back to work.  as soon as i got home, i went to town on it.  

    i'd love to go for dinner one night.  really hoping to run into david copperfield.  great food and magical entertainment should never be separate.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/7/2012

    The food here was really good.  It's a really busy place and tables close together. It gets crowded fast and get's pretty noisy, so if you're looking for a quiet dinner, this is not the place for you.  The walls of the entryway dining area are covered with pictures of the owner and celebrities, which I though was pretty neat!

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/23/2008

    I don't get all the hype.

    is the food good?  yes, it's decent.  is it worth waiting hours for (even with a reservation) and fighting crowds for?  no.  not at all.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/10/2011

    I work in the West Loop for over 2 years now, and my co-workers has always raved about this place. I finally took an actual lunch break and joined some of them last week and went here.

    I ordered the Eggplant Parm and it was delish!! The sauce was not too heavy. It was not salty. Service was great. The place was just cozy and comfy. The menu always changes, and it's simple to read. I hate crazy messy menus!

    FOOD is just DELISH.

    Gotta go back!

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/28/2009

    This is some of the best food I've tasted in Chicago and at great prices.  Service is usually very good, although I have had a couple of sub-par waiters now and then.

    The place itself is a bit worn.  While that's one of the things I like about it, I know it can be a turn off for some.  Also, the seating arrangements are a bit tight.  I always ask for a seat in the back room--a bit more space per table and the main dining room is chilly in winter.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/19/2012

    Best Italian in Chicago!

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/16/2009

    The food here is melt-in-your-mouth amazing.  I disagree with the reviewer who says it is Americanized.  I think some people throw that out there with too much ease.  For example, my very Italian grandma once said "this is not real Italian food"... IN ITALY.  Anyway...

    The service is great.  Unfortunately, I have to subtract a star because there isn't much to be said about the atmosphere.  It is kind of Sopranosish (which I think is cool) but there really isn't much to look at outside of signed pictures of celebrities.  Among those, there is a picture of a little girl in a bikini doing a Playboyish pose.  Can I just say-- that is WEIRD.  Anyway...

    Good luck getting a weekend reservation, because the place gets beyond packed.  However, that is always a good sign and I highly recommend La Scarola.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/13/2007

    I am a big fan of this place. Being that I'm Italian, I have a lot of standards when it comes to Italian food since my Mom is an allstar cook.

    Ingredients must be fresh and food must be prepared fresh. Check on this one for La Scarola. I love the chicken and eggplant parmesean. I also had a seafood pasta dish that was good, but nothing to die over.

    All and all, La Scarola is a high quality place with nice decor. I love the pictures of famous people that line the walls of this place. The food is upscale but it has a casual feeling to it that I like.

  • 3.0 star rating
    5/31/2008

    I had dinner here once with the girls before heading across the street for some body shakin'. It was good, the service was good, the wine was good....Oh It was ALL good baby... Well, except the crowding of the masses of people into a tiny little area. Except that when I went to the bathroom I had to walk side ways not to bump a table or a waiter (and I am a petite little thing). A mangiare Torino!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 2.0 star rating
    3/12/2011

    I can't believe this place has such high reviews.  Mediorce food and a cramped outdated space.  Granted the decor and space wouldn't have mattered if the food was excellent.  One pro of this place is the excellent wine list.

    It's a touristy place.  When we walked in for our 6:30 reservation the "host" who I am guessing is the owner asked us where we are from.  Ummmmm....down the street, ha.

    Now the food....bread, just ok.  The sausage and pepper apptetizer was really good.  Entrees were nothing special, not bad but just ok. Tirimasu was good but iI've never had a bad Tiramasu before.

    I definitly won't be going back there are way better Italian restaurants in Chicago and I wouldn't recommend this place to a friend.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/27/2011

    We just don't have this kind of food in San Diego!  Our local friend brought us here....amazing!!!  Sausage and peppers is a must appetizer!  Everything is out of this world!  Locals know the good food, and this fits that bill.  You won't be disappointed.  Hey, hit the dive bar, Richards, next door for a drink too.....it is a step back in time.  Perfect night.

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/30/2009

    Food is excellent, the interior is completely tacky and I don't think that was the owners intention. Who cares though? It can get a little cramped in there on a Friday or Saturday night however.

    If you are making a reservation there is a more then likely chance you will end up at Richards Bar or Emitts to wait for your table.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/22/2011

    This is everything you need in an Italian place. The atmosphere is cramped and doesn't really give you the feel of a Italian restaurant, but the food makes up for what the ambiance does not. The eggplant parmigiana is a must, and it's a house specialty. When going for a birthday or just for the hell of it the chocolate cake is great. Stay away from the calamari.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/7/2010
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    LOOOOVE La Scarola.  The place is always busy, it's a thriving restaurant and it's great.

    The walls in front are covered in photos of celebs and semi-celebs, news anchors, etc. who've visited, such as a big poster of Faye Dunaway and a huge body-length poster of Victoria Silvstedt.  The atmosphere has a casual feel, judged on the paper on top of the tablecloths.  It's not pretentious, but it's nice enough for any occasion.  The carpet needs replacing- it lends a musty smell and is darker in some parts and lighter against the walls, a sign that it's dirty.  The patrons are a good mix, sometimes it seems like it's all either older 65+ or young people in late 20's.  If you're concerned with the location it's only $4.50 for valet, although we found parking on a weeknight.  We usually do have to make reservations for weeknights.

    Of the appetizer selection try the fried zucchini, it's awesome, very fresh tasting- nothing like I expected.  Bruschetta seems redundant since they give you bread.  Get the broccoli salad, it's sooo good, it's served chilled and has lemon on it and steamed broccoli.  House salad, at just under $4 is also a good choice, I liked the italian balsamic and a few marinated red peppers.  Between the three of us last time, I ordered eggplant parmesan not so great, and my friends had the whitefish and steak and potatoes, and also enjoyed the escarole soup, I did not try this soup because it has chicken broth.  The whitefish was excellent, for 19.95 it was a large piece, and had thinly sliced potatoes under it.  The steak and potatoes was enjoyed, I tried the potatoes and they were good, skinless, baked.  The salmon is also excellent and has an AWESOME risotto, very creamy and cooked just right.  All the portions are HUGE, the spag and meatballs is enough to feed 3 people!  The sea bass, at 30 bucks, has little bones in it, be warned- my friend had it and liked it, other than the little bones she was biting on, it was served on sauteed spinach and very heavy on garlic.

    The only thing I do NOT recommend is the eggplant parmesan- disappointing.  It was spongy and bland, not layered, and did not come with pasta.  It may not be traditional to serve with pasta but it would be nice to offer that, for like $3 more or so, because it was not a good dish by itself.  The best eggplant parmesan I've had is at Club Lucky, it's a thinly layered with several kinds of cheese and a lot more flavor than La Scarola's.  Overall, I love this restaurant and will always come back.

  • 2.0 star rating
    2/1/2011

    I'm not sure about the great reviews for this place. I was so excited to go there after reading em all but I was so not impressed by the food. In my opinion, if ur an authentic Italian joint you can't screw up the bread and the pasta. The bread was not fresh and hard as a rock! We ordered macaroni arabiatta and the mushroom risotto. Both were bland and not very tasty.  We actually boxed em up and modified it the next day n it tasted awesome :). I'm still shocked that a place with 4 stars was such a disappointment. I will give it another try sometime in the future.  Maybe it was what we ordered. The place is always packed and vibrant.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/8/2008
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    This restaurant makes me want to burst into song!

    In a city full of restaurants that think THEY know how to serve pasta, La Scarola confidently asks them "Who the hell do you think YOU are?" And they should know. They make the most authentic, fresh, classic pasta dishes seem EFFORTLESS yet AMAZING. The selection is plentiful but within reason. The ingredients are EXACTLY what Italian grandmothers KNOW should be in the pasta. The food comes out fresh from the kitchen, hot and saucy and DELICIOUS.

    The service is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. They know they work at the best place in town, and yet, unlike their mediocre competitors, they treat everyone like their most-valued customer. Even when that customer is, say, Dennis Farina, who dropped by for some dinner while we were there last month. (His picture is up on the wall, too. Yeah, this is one of those kinds of restaurants...and I love it).

    Do yourself a favor: ditch those trendy we-THINK-we-serve-Italian-food joints and get your happy self to La Scarola. Savor, devour, digest, and REPEAT.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/3/2008

    One thing to know about this place before you arrive with all your expectations of what a restaurant experience should be: forget those demands and preconceptions and just chill out, and see what happens. It'll be more fun that way.

    Here was my experience:
    We made a reservation for 9pm on a Saturday, and weren't able to be seated until 9.45pm. But we took this in our stride and went  to the wonderfully classic old bar next door (which is quite possibly being kept in business soley by La Scarola patrons waiting to be seated). When we came back at 9.30pm, they still couldn't seat us, but eventually the charismatic and hilarious owner/boss (??) gave us some wine, on the house, which we enjoyed while waiting for a table. This dude is quite a character -- and watch out if you're a guy -- he'll manhandle your shoulders and possibly give you a bear hug (all friendly like) several times before he gets you seated. He's just being friendly. Fortunately he doesn't rough up the women in quite the same way.

    So what of the food? Homely, full of flavor, messily presented, simply done, unpretentious. Classic comfortable Italian. I liked it a lot. Arrive hungry, even if you have to wait an hour, you'll want to be hungry. I've had better Italian, but rarely in Chicago, so this place is pretty special.

    I liked this place better than Volare, Volare seemed more like a churned-out business full of wankers; this place had more character and personality.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/22/2011

    We tried out this place over the weekend. It is definitely busy and hard to get a reservation. The staff was very accommodating and attentive. I was not happy where we were initially seated, so the manger made arrangements to move us to a table in a warmer section of the restaurant. That's good service especially on a Saturday night.

    We devoured  the Bruschetta which was perfectly spiced and made with generous Tomato-Basil Toppings.  We ordered the Seafood Penne Sinatra and Steak Vesuvio.  The Seafood Penne Sinatra was a menu special that that scallops, shrimp, mussells, in a vodka cream sauce.  Even as a leftover it is so freakin' good. Would highly recommend it. The Steak Vesuvio is a generous portion of filet mignon prepared with a side of potatoes. The sauce is a very garlicy, basil, olive oil concoction. I have to say, there is a reason why you should only order steak at a steak restaurant. It was fine but not mentionable and would not order it again.

    We passed on dessert though all of them sounded tempting!

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/12/2010 Updated review

    went back to la scarola and nothing has changed.  Best italian food still in the city! Very garlicky chicken vesuvio which I enjoyed but if you are not a garlic fan, go another route.  Portions are still gianormous and delicious!!

    5.0 star rating
    2/12/2010 Previous review
    Everything here was so delivious!!  I am not easily impressed by Italian food but this place was… Read more
  • 3.0 star rating
    2/18/2008

    This might not of been the best place for a group of 15 on Friday night. We did plan ahead and had a reservation for 9:00 pm. When the first few of us arrived at 9:00 they told us our table wasn't ready and to go over to Emitts and have a drink and check back in 15 minutes. Good thing Emitts was so close because there is no place to wait around for a table inside La Scarola. After 15 minutes someone went and checked on the table. Still the table wasn't ready... this continued to happen until at 10:00 we were able to sit down.  As Seinfeld would say, "They know how to take the reservation, they just don't know how to HOLD the reservation and that's really the most important part of the reservation, the holding

    Personally 10:00 is too late to eat dinner and at this point I was pretty damn hungry. Anything was sounding good and the past reviews for this place sounded like I couldn't go wrong. I ordered a shrimp risotto. I am a huge risotto fan but this risotto left little to remember. My finance's dish was a lot tastier then mine, and maybe if I would of had that for my entree La Scarola might of gotten 4 stars.

    Service was very good once we finally sat down and we were out of the restaurant and back drinking at Emitts in no time. I would never go back here with a large group, the place is too small and the tables are really close together. If you're on a date or taking your Mom & Dad out to dinner this might be a nice place.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/29/2009

    This is one of my favorite Italian places in Chicago!  I have been going to La Scarola for 5 years now and love it, love it, LOVE IT!!

    One time we went here with about 14 girls for a party, even though they took our reservation they had us wait for 20 more mins!  It was fine for us because we were girls just talking and smoking!! WHen we got in they gave us a FREE shot of tequila (right?  we didn't get it either but we drank it up!)  and two free apps, bc they felt so badly!!  Their food is ALWAYS amazing! There servers are so attentive and always so kind to your every need!  

    The decor is kinda dark with lots of pictures on the wall of celebs that have eaten there!

    My personal favorite is the Vodka Pasta, I think I have had about 5 or 6 times!! Really so good!!

    Great place for a date or a group of 14!!
    Love it and will ALWAYS go back for more!!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/4/2011

    Went here for a fist date and let me tell you, if my heart weren't already spoken for by La Gondola, this would be my favorite place for Italian in Chicago.  Super cute and fun environment- I feel like this place exemplifies the Italian restaurant experience.  Fun place to go with friends and fun for something as awkward as a first date. I will definitely be back. Oh, and try their grilled calamari- TO DIE FOR!  Bravissimo!

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/22/2008

    When I have a reservation at 8:30, I expect to be sat within 20 minutes of that time. Not 45 minutes later. Clearly you are taking too many reservations or accepting too many walk-ins, dude. Not my problem.

    I spent those 45 minutes smooshed up against the bar where wait staff were bumping into us while running food and ordering drinks. It was torture having to smell all of the fabulous aromas pass by, especially since I was STARVING!!

    I feel sorry for those that work in the space. It's obviously too small and not laid out well. One guy said he had worked there for 19 or something, so it must not be that bad! A larger space would certainly solve many of their issues.

    The food, however, was not an issue. Everything was fantastic! My dining companion and I both had pasta. They were perfectly cooked with just enough sauce, meat, cheese, and spice. The Pasta Fagiole was really tasty as was the wine and the Italian broccoli-ish side that we had.

    I understand the jovial owner running around like a crazy man giving out free shots while kicking people out of their table, but that really make for great business? I don't think so.

    I would come back for take out or on a slow night early in the evening ONLY!

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/31/2008

    I was afraid that being in a party of 15 ladies on a Saturday night in which the first 10 arrive on time and the remaining 5 straggled in over the next hour would cause some serious attitude from the staff; but I was wrong.  They were nothing but gracious, water glasses were kept full, wine refills aplenty, promptly removed dirty plates.  Bravo to the whole staff for truly being patient with such a large and difficult (at times) group.  And cheers to the free tequila shots (although really? Tequila at an Italian restaurant?)!  My four star review is primarily a result of this fabulous service.  

    The sauted calamari was fabulous, and warning: the portions are huge.  Almost family-style Italian.  Two of my friends split one pasta dish, but my fat ass enjoyed the Pollo Ponzio all on my own, which was A) kind of disappointing because I didn't eat nearly half of it and since it was a night out, I couldn't take it to go, but B) not all that bad because the plate was swimming in oil and I really didn't need the leftovers.  I really wanted the whitefish, but I didn't find out until ordering that they didn't have any left.  Bummer.  

    Try to score a table away from the door when it's cold - double doors or not, that wind was COLD!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/31/2009

    Was a little disappointed with the hole in the wall appearance of this little place, as I was taking my semi-pretentiious, yet very sweet younger frat-boy brother to dinner before the Bulls game.

    However, we ended up having one of the best meals here. My brother still raves about his pasta, more than a year later. He loves cheese ravioli and wants to come back right away for more.

    The service was great.

    I had the pasta fagioulle soup and grilled calamari and both were outstanding.

    I wish this was closer to Lincoln Park or Downtown, but it's definitely worth a cab ride for Italian food this good. You can tell there are tons of regulars in the place, as well.

  • 3.0 star rating
    9/23/2011

    Cute.  Homey.  Big portions.  Medium pricing.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/19/2008

    You can not beat La Scarola.

    Can. Not. Beat. It.  I recommend it to anyone (possibly everyone) I know, and now, to people I don't know.

    Go. Eat.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/19/2011

    Tasty food, homey feel. My boss really likes this restaurant

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/19/2008

    I can see how it might be tight for large groups here; although the place is pretty big, it kind of winds around, and the tables are pretty close together.  I had dinner here with a friend, and I felt the atmosphere was very cozy.  But again, definitely a place to go with 6 people or less.

    Food: I can't even tell you.  I had the shrimp risotto, and although another reviewer said it was just "eh", I thought it was the ultimate in comfort food.  The shrimp were wrapped in prociutto, for god's sake, and gigantic.  We both had cannolis and cappuccinos for dessert... This cannoli was the best damn cannoli I ever ate, and I've eaten a LOT of cannolis.  

    After we had finished dinner, and paid the check, the owner pulled up a chair and chatted with us for a few minutes.  A few minutes after that, a waiter brought over two shot glasses of anisette liquor for us, which completely dispelled any feeling we might have had that we were overstaying our welcome.  

    We'll definitely be back, and next time we'll bring our boys.  Very reasonable prices, btw; we also had a nice bottle of wine, and got out of there paying less than $70 each.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/9/2012

    Great authentic Italian food at reasonable prices! I went there for dinner last night with a group from work and was pleasantly surprised by the old school look and unassuming decor which gave it a very authentic feel. The food was amazing - I ordered the Crab meat stuffed Sole, it was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. Other people in my group ordered the Salmon and the Penne pasta which they also thought were very good. One thing to note is that the portions are very big (the pasta entrees were easily enough for two people). The space itself is a bit crowded and the tables are close to each other but the food is out of this world and more than makes up for it. This is now my new favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago and I will definitely be back soon!

  • 2.0 star rating
    9/6/2008

    I'm really perplexed as to why this place is getting such good reviews. In fact, I went here after looking up Italian places on yelp and seeing it got good reviews, not knowing anything else.

    We had to wait for at least 20 minutes even though we had a reservation. We were seated in a tiny table that was too close to the bar on one side and a doorway on the other.

    The bread was hard and the butter was cold. Our food was disgustingly greasy and flavorless. And expensive. Maybe it was just the shrimp risotto, that was what I ordered.

    The waitstaff was pretty nice and the restaurant was cute and homie, though that may be a nice way of saying it could use an upgrade to something more modern. I haven't decided yet. The crowd was definitely not typical of the city, seeming older, suburban, and somewhat odd.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/13/2008
    Listed in My Neighborhood

    It's not that gorgeous, and not that sexy, but their food is great, service too.  We had a really great time with a bottle of chianti and nice hearty, traditional meals.
    I asked for lots of garlic and got it.  Really great entrees.  Asparagus salad is great too!

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/5/2011

    Been here multiple times and I love this place!  Some of the absolute best Italian food in the city at great prices.  I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and would be shocked if you were disappointed.  I like bringing family here as this is an old school Italian spot that they always seem to love.

    The penne alla vodka is probably the best I have ever had, and good luck trying to finish the monster portion.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/23/2009

    Service = 5 stars

    Food = 4 stars

    Atmosphere = 3 stars

    Price = 3 1/2

    Small glass of house wine costs 8 bucks.  TOO much !

    Grilled calamari was over rated.  They use too large of squid which results in it being chewy.

    Over all a good place..

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/14/2011

    La Scarola is one of Chicago's hidden treasures! We are from out of town and just heard amazing things about La Scarola from the locals. The tables are packed into a hole-in-the wall space. The food is amazing- have large portions- you can definitely share a entrée with someone. We had the lasagna and fettuccine with clams. La Scarola is some of the best Italian food that we have every had. The service is great and they speak in Italian. A true hole in the wall that exceeded all my expectations! For anyone that is going to Chicago- you don't want to miss out on the La Scarola experience!

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/31/2012

    This place is amazing. It has so much character, ranging from the celebrities on the walls to the charismatic owner Armando. Armando is beyond attentive to his guests, and the waitstaff was incredible as well. Our waiter Bob was awesome. And the food was outstanding. We started with calamari, which had the most incredible cocktail sauce. I got the soft shell crab special, which was over spinach, mussels and tomatoes. I don't like spinach, but I literally was eating this like it was my job. So good. Boyfriend got the lasagna, and being part Italian he was ashamed to admit it was better than this grandmother's. Cheesecake for dessert was amazing as well. This is hands down our new go-to restaurant.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/24/2010
    1 check-in

    Loved it. I was there this past weekend for a friend's 30th, the restaurant is a great combo of incredible Italian food and a fun atmosphere. It was a little crammed, maybe not great for a group of ten people. But, I quickly forgot about the close quarters when the food came out!  The service was outstanding, the staff waited on us very attentively. I had the Salmon Mondelli, awesome! It was a huge piece of fish. A friend had prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, and luckily I was able to sneak a few pieces. I want to find the guy who thought of that combo and shake his hand!

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/4/2011

    The food and service is always good here. I'm docking a star for the feeling of being squashed. They really pack you in, however not enough to stop be from going back again.

  • 3.0 star rating
    2/28/2009

    I have to admit, I was surprised at the number of tables and space at La Scarola once I got inside. It looked so small and cramped from the outside. During my visit , once inside we were shuttled to a back room which was empty, did I say something? It worked out as the room filled during the meal and it felt a little more comfortable.
    The best part was that the food was fabulous, really great taste and nice size portions, thought the wine was a little pricey for a week night dinner but overall the meal was great.
    The downside is that our waitress seemed annoyed by our presence, and not only ours, the quiet folks at the next table were getting the same treatment. Oh well, maybe a bad day. Overall I had a good time and the food was excellent. I'll be going back

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/16/2007

    Why is it that I can't see eye-to-eye with you folks on Italian food?

    My experience was eerily similar to that of Carol K.'s.

    "I was seated by the door where cold winds blew in everytime someone walked in"

    Check.  Even though we had a reservation.

    "As for the server- call it an off night but the guy was rude and kept rushing us to place our order and get out. He actually made a face when someone in our party ask read more ed for a couple of extra minutes to make up his mind.  Did the waiter have any recommendations?  No.  Did he have any favorites?   No.  All he was was someone to write down whatever we ordered and send it to the kitchen.  Strike one."

    Check.  Must have been the same waiter.  We ordered our appetizers and said we needed a little bit time to pick our main courses, and the dude was back after like ... 60 seconds.  Not kidding.  Like he had a plane to catch.

    "When the food came- it was only okay."

    Check.  Actually, the fried clams were much better than OK, but my pasta dish and my friend's risotto were decent, nothing earth-shattering.  Actually, I made the mistake of ordering the same pasta dish that I'd ordered on my only previous visit, but that was because I felt rushed to make my decision.

  • 3.0 star rating
    1/14/2009

    Good Italian food can be found here.  I had the gnochhi which were to die for.  The atmosphere is loud, active and dynamic...  what you would expect at an authentic Italian restaurant.  

    The service at the bar was a little slow and irritating but I blame that on the busy night we went.  Not a place to go for an intimate conversation... more for the activity and pretty good Italian food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/19/2011

    The food was absolutely outstanding and rivals the very best of NYC Little Italy. The Chicken Angelo, Penne Shrimp with vodka sauce and lasagna were all outstanding in every way. The manager/owner Armando was courteous, friendly and made us feel at home even though this was our first visit to the Chicago area. The staff was great, the atmosphere was authentic and we, as foodies and lovers of Italian food, strongly recommend this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/7/2012

    I came here with a group of coworkers last night for dinner and the food was very good! They gave us an area off to the side so we could have a little more privacy, which was very considerate. I would definitely recommend this place for decent Italian Food!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/20/2011

    Everything I've had here is delicious and believe me, im picky. Went here for valentines day and at the end of the meal they gave us two free chocolate covered strawbs. Stupid good. Possibly the best dessert I've ever eaten no joke.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/15/2011

    After being in a meeting where a co-worker raved about this place - a group of 5 of us made reservations right away for the same evening.

    While the space was a little small and the decor left something to be desired - the food, service and wine list was awesome.

    Our server was comfortable and made great suggestions, but really let us enjoy our meal. He was also attentive and made sure our wine glasses were never empty!

    The wine list was great with a variety of prices and varietals - really loved the Super Tuscan.

    But...the very best thing about this restaurant, the food! OMG - I studied abroad in Italy and this is the closest that I have had being in Chicago/US.

    The appetizers were great - antipasto, shrimp armani, brushetta, calamari! The calamari was SO tender and the brushetta was so flavorful.

    Next, we split a bunch of different entrees, the chicken special of the day , lasagna, penne a la vodka and eggplant parm. Each better than the next. My two favs were the penne and the chicken special, but the other two were just as authentic and flavorful.

    Lastly, the desserts. tiramisu, need I say more. We also tried some other options, but the tiramisu, amazing.

    I would go back here for a business dinner or even for a date - because even though the decor is a little outdated, its a fun place with amazing food and won't break the bank.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/10/2011

    Hands down the best teramisu I've ever had. Mmmmm!!!! We went on a Thursday night & the place was packed! Our waiter was sweet although very busy. I don't remember the name of my entree but it was one of the specials & it had Italian sausage & zucchini in it, it was great! It was big enough for 3 people so I had to take more than half of it home.  My boyfriend had the lasagna & that was great too! We will definitely return for the great food. The place is smaller than expected & the tables are close together, but that's ok because the food is good.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/5/2007

    We laughed, we cried, we almost walked out, we didnt and had the best Italian I've ever had! This was one of the most dramatic dinners I've had. I'd heard great things about this place, so I made a reservation for a Friday night. We waited, and waited, and waited. We saw countless people seated before us that walked in after us. The tequila was flowing like wine.

    Finally, an hour in, my fiance had had it and we told Armando we were out of there. He refused to let us leave, seated us immediately and offered to pay for our meal! And, oh what a meal. This pasta is truly incredible. I used to think, good pasta's pasta but this place proved me wrong! The calamari is huge and meaty too!

    At the end of the meal, Armando had tequila shots with us and tried to get out of paying for the meal. After a little good hearted bantering though, he covered it (and he refused to let us pay for drinks!! Even though Grant told him we were more than happy to pay for our wine!)

    Bottom line, this place is an experience. Go for great pasta but be in a good mood and ready to make a night of it!

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/30/2008

    A diamond in the rough....this area is industrial and the restaurants that are around are so expensive.

    I'm allergic to garlic...cue the violins...anyhoo the guys here make stuff fresh to order! They make really good bowtie pasta with alfredo sans garlic! The lunch time prices are half the price of dinner and you get so much food! I eat it for a few days! This place is great! mmmmmmmmmmmmm

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/3/2007

    This is going to be "preaching to the choir", if I am correct about the general consensus of this place. It's just the best Italian I've had in a long time. But it was not just the food that impressed me.  I went there with my friend Jasmine for lunch on a weekday. We were seated immediately but sat for a long time without acknowledgment from a server or menus or water. The guy I finally flagged down was, I believe, the manager or owner. He was very apologetic and offered us a free appetizer of white beans and escarole, which was so good it made me consider full-time vegetarianism. I ordered a special of chicken strips and mushrooms Vesuvio over linguini. This dish had such a nice complexity of flavors and textures, it was like little angels peeing on my tongue! I ate the whole thing, in spite of my current attempts at a 50% diet. Jasmine ordered a chicken special which had more beans and escarole, so I guess she couldn't get enough of those. But the best part was when I requested the check. The gracious  server advised me that the manager had "comped" our entire meal, and just because we had waited awhile at the beginning. I would have given the five stars without it, but that was incredible customer service.
    Also, for anyone who is looking for  that type of retro, Sinatraesque, noisy, intimate, I-feel-like-I'm-in-New York's Little Italy atmosphere, you won't be disappointed.

    (Located just east of the Grand Ave. Blue Line stop)

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Daniel Y. said "Yes, you can get good BBQ at a pizza place. Who would have thunk it? The wait staff and owner are incredibly nice and were…" read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 3.0 star rating
    3/20/2008

    Unfortunately, La Scarola didn't live up to all the hype when my family and I celebrated my birthday dinner here a few weekends ago. We made reservations (a must if you want to eat at a decent time on the weekend) and got seated within a few minutes.

    The risotto is supposed to be amazing here. It was good, not amazing. I ordered the shrimp wrapped in prosciutto risotto. The risotto had excellent flavor but the shrimp was overcooked. Personally, I had better risotto at Francesca's Forno - and it was cheaper.

    It's true - they rush you out like a herd of cattle. Once we stood up - the bus boys were clearing the dishes, cleaning the table - all while we were all still standing next to our table gathering our belongings! Annoying! Yes, I might be back, but only because it's so close.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/3/2010

    Let me preface by saying I just ate a big meal, and headed out here to meet a friend for some dranks.  Took a peek at their menu, and thought to myself, "I need to find a way to make some room".  I know what you're thinking, no I didn't throw it up, or do you know what number.  I just sucked it up and loosened up my belt buckle.  The food was vewy vewy good!  Calamari, mussels, brushetta.....only apps though...because my stomach couldn't stomach anything more than that.  Decent wines by the glass as well.  
    So that was the food.  The experience was better.  Walked into a packed house and waited for handful of minutes on a small bench in the back of the house.  A table opened up, and we were on a 2-top in the middle of a busy intersection.  Asses in our faces left and right.  The head waiter noticed an empty table come up just as our food was arriving, came to our table, and said, "come with me"....we followed him to a window table up front.  This is how a restaurant should be run......Bravo La Scarola, Bravo......

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/22/2008

    I used to think Italian food was overrated until La Scarola converted me. Italian food is so predominant in America that some people even think spaghetti and pizza is American. This made me avoid Italian food unless friends wanted it because it was eating normal everyday stuff in my opinion. La Scarola though is authentic Italian cuisine, according to my friends that took me there that spent time studying abroad in Italy.

    It's taken me along time to post finally because I wanted to make my 100th review something memorable and I had been working crazy I-banking style hours. I chose La Scarola because it is my favorite Italian restaurant and opened my eyes up to what 'real' Italian food is (not Olive Garden junk).

    From the creamy risotto that has the perfect texture, to their delicious vesuvios, I simply love La Scarola. It's one of the must-take places that I bring guests from out-of-town to. Even my mom liked it and she hates western food! I also love how they frequently update their specials menu, it hasn't been the same ever when I've gone. We used to go all the time because my friends love it too. When we're there we'd have fun and I'd become "Big Tony" and talk in my horrid Italian accent. It's a very fun place, a warm family atmosphere. Once there were drunk ladies without shoes on and they were hilarious. The dcor is cool tool, so old-skewl Chi-town. They also honor reservations so you don't have to wait around.

    Once we were there and a person cleaning our table knocked over something onto the floor. The manager came down on him hard, poor guy - something straight outta a gangster momvie. The place is in the 'family' owned part of Chicago. I bet we must've seen a few Mafioso there. It's so cool.

    Their chicken is always amazing, so moist and tender. Their seafood is great too. Once we had the gnocchi there and it was amazing. I don't normal see gnocchi on the menu, but they frequently have wonderful specials to try. It's also very reasonable priced and you can get most entrees between $10-$20.  Probably the best price to taste ratio (or value as some would call it) in all of Chicago for Italian food.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/17/2008

    *4.5 stars

    Although I've hung out in this neighborhood many, many times in the past (Emmits is one of my favorite bars) I had never noticed La Scarola before, and I likely would have never gone, had a friend not suggested it for dinner before our girls night out. We arrived shortly after 8:00, only a few minutes after our reservation time, but ended up waiting another 20 before we were seated. With no room at the bar, we were awkwardly relegated to the cold entryway to wait. Our annoyance with getting seated late was tempered by the bustling action in the dining room- we figured it was worth the wait, and it was.....

    I ordered the ravioli alla forno, and it was amazing. My friend Erica had the prosciutto and fresh mozzarella-stuffed chicken breast, (a special)and my other friend had the biggest slice of lasagne I've seen in a while. In addition, the 4 of us had 2 cocktails, a bottle of wine, 4 entrees, 1 slice of tiramisu and a cappuccino, and our bill came to only about $130- not bad!

    I'm so excited that I've discovered La Scarola, and can't wait to go again- definitely a gem!

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/19/2008

    What is not to love about this place?  Outstanding italian food, great staff who make you feel at home, and a cozy place to dine.  Love any and all the pasta dishes I have eaten here.  Next time, I think our family just needs to kidnap the kitchen and wait staff and take them home so they can move in and we can live life large day after day!!!
    Really worth spending some time here, and not just once! Also, very reasonable prices and decent wine list.

  • 3.0 star rating
    9/14/2007

    I got the Vodka Penne; fanFUCKINdeliciousoamazingness.

    My friend got the shrimp risotto; not so much. I had a bite and thought, it MUST be good, I know my mouth is saying, "not so good", but what the hell does it know?! This is La Scarola for fucks sake!!  But, I'm sad to report the risotto was unevenly cooked; half of it was still plain rice, the other half had crunchy kernels of rice in it. I don't know much, but I know that ain't right. Also, the bread is supremely janky. Again, I was thinking, "weeeelll, maybe it's like imported from europe, french-style hard-ass rock bread." SILENCE. It was just bad, stale bread. Universally available. Universally jank.

    ****EDIT: fried calamari is a WINNNN-ER. v. light batter, tossed in lemon and olive oil, nice tomato dipping sauce, sprinkled w/ herbs.

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/18/2011 Updated review

    Was recently back there. Had the fried calamari and antipasto platter to start. Both delicious. I've had a lot of calamari and this was one of the best. Had maybe a touch of garlic in the flavor profile?  Couldn't pinpoint it but it was a little different from other calamaris.  I had the pasta with vodka (on the regular menu) which had asparagus, mushrooms and shrimp in it. Absolutely delicious. Huge portion, rich but not too rich, every bite was so good. Had it for dinner the next night!  A dining companion had the chicken parmesan (although not on the menu, you can order it) and was very happy with it.  My husband had gnocchi I think and loved his.  4th dining companion is pregnant and wanted something basic so ordered the basic pasta with tomato basil sauce and wishes she had ordered something with other components. It wasn't bad, but a little more flavor was desired, I think.

    Always really good service, always bustling and busy. Overall a great place with a really great menu with options for everybody.

    3.0 star rating
    2/24/2011 Previous review
    Was there for the first time in about 2-3 years and couldn't remember what I had eaten there in past… Read more
  • 3.0 star rating
    11/7/2010

    Did I just walk onto the set of Goodfellas? This is classic Chicago. All the servers are older men with a thick Chicago and/or Italian accent. The menu doesn't look like it's changed since 1984. The wall is full of photos of local celebs and Italian actors/actresses. The place is full of noise and people. Everyone is talking, the patrons and the staff. People are constantly moving around so my eyes were getting a workout just trying to see what was going on. The food is good in served in giant portions. My wife had this pasta dish that looked like little purses that's how large they were. Overall a fun experience but not sure if I'll be going back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/13/2010

    Great Italian food. Lively atmosphere. Good wines. A very enthusiastic YA MON!!! Because the Wooden Head Knows.

  • 3.0 star rating
    8/11/2010

    A flight into Chicago, a local told me of this joint. So my husband and I headed over. The chicken was great, the house marina sauce was ok. Fast service and friendly atmosphere...

  • 3.0 star rating
    9/15/2008

    I heard from my sister whom is an avid yelper that this place rocked...and maybe because she hyped it up so much I had really high expectations.  I even checked out their website to see what the fuss was about and just to review the menu before I went.  She had told me that the place was always packed and you HAD to make reservations otherwise the wait would be much longer, and so she made the reservations for 7pm.  

    La Scarola was a nice little restaurant...there wasn't anything about the exterior or interior that would draw you in.  You could easily pass by the place not knowing that many celebrities come by to eat some authentic Italian food.  But we gave it a try and it was definitely busy there and we ended up waiting 15 minutes even after our reservations, but that didn't really bother me since it's a regular thing for Chicagoans to wait for at least an hour to be seated without reservations.  

    The service was alright.  It looked like they did whatever they could to keep up.  The dishes that our party had consisted of (that I could remember the names):
    - Pasta Visuvio *****
    - Pasta Lorenzo ****
    - Shrimp Risotto ***

    Appetizers:
    - Clams Modelli ****
    - Mussels  ****
    - Calamari ****

    And that is my star rating for the food itself.  My friend had a pasta that was 'gnocchi' shaped...just looked wrong...and I couldn't get passed the look of it to even try it.  My friend barely touched it.  I'm sure she's going to toss it in the end.  The appetizers were delicious!  

    The atmosphere in the restaurant was very loud...you could barely hear your party's conversation.  I had to yell several times, but good party atmosphere, so if you're looking for a quiet evening...I don't know if this is the spot to go.  Overall, the food was good, couldn't say it was amazing, you can definitely tell the authenticity of the food.  So props to that.  I'd recommend it to yelpers to try it out.  Don't know if I would hype it up though.  
    -

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/29/2008

    I really like this place. It epitomizes a fun dining experience.

    The first time I came here it was under completely random circumstances. My husband's parents were in town from Portland, Oregon, and they had talked to someone at the PDX airport who recommended La Scarola when they heard they were visiting Chicago. We all love Italian food, so we decided to give it a try. We had a great time--the food was flavorful, the atmosphere was fun and lively, and one of the owners kept coming over to chat us up and make sure we were enjoying ourselves.

    I came here again last night with a group for a friend's going-away dinner. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating with our 12-person group, and one of the owners (same one we talked to last time) gave us two rounds of tequila shots and two appetizer platters, all on the house, because he knew we were celebrating and because we had to wait a bit for our table. Same as last time, the food was delicious, the owner treated us like family, and the whole dining experience was really fun.

    I'll definitely be back, and I'd recommend La Scarola for anyone who wants a fun Italian dining experience in Chicago.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/19/2007

    I've been here twice and I absolutely love the food at this place. Some of the best Italian food I have had in the city.  I am especially a fan of their calamari because as Mabana C. said its perfect. Not soggy or overfried but just great! I actually dont remember what I ordered each time, but I know it was good.

  • 3.0 star rating
    1/29/2008

    Dining out on a school night doesn't typically work well for me because I'm too stupid to pass on the wine and last night the tequila. It was a friend's birthday so I threw caution to the wind and headed out to La Scarola.

    Our party of six started out with the Sausage & Peppers, Escarole & Beans, and the Brushetta.  The sausage and the escarole were delicious as always.  However, I think I have come to the conclusion that I don't really like Brushetta.  I mean the Brushetta was good, but in the grand scheme of things it's just a tad boring.  

    The highlights for the entrees included Stu's Veal Special, Kristy's (Birthday Girl!) Pasta w/ Goat Cheese, Liz's Risotto, and My Veal Marsala.  Once again I went against my instincts and passed on the Veal Special.  I should have known that anything with bacon tastes better, but my Veal Marsala was very good too. The rest of the dishes were all good, but the above mentioned were definitely a step above.  With dinner we enjoyed two very well priced bottles of Tuscan Sangiovese ($35).  We finished the evening with a candled Tiramisu, a Canolli, and the Chocolate Mousse.  All three desserts were delicious and the Canolli was one of the best that I have had.

    The interior of La Scarola looks like a scene from Goodfellas.  It seems like every time that you are there that one of the famous faces from their walls is actually sitting at a table next to you enjoying their meals.  It's the type of place where the staff takes care of their regulars and you so desperately want to achieve "regular" status.  The service was great and became even better when the free tequila shots began to flow.  It turned out to be the manager/owner's birthday and he made sure that he celebrated with every table and our table twice!  I haven't had a bad experience yet and will continue to frequent La Scarola.  Maybe one day I will reach the elusive "regular" status and be greeted with a handshake and a "I have your favorite table waiting for you Mr. David."

    1 Sausage & Peppers
    1 Escarole & Beans
    1 Brushetta
    1 Pollo Italiano
    1 Veal Marsala
    1 Eggplant Parm
    1 Veal Special
    1 Chicken Vesuvio
    1 Risotto
    1 Broccoli & Goat Cheese Pasta
    2 Bottles of Sangiovese
    1 Tiramisu
    1 Canolli
    1 Chocolate Mousse Cake
    3 Double Espressos
    1 Cappuccino
    ------------------------------------
    $265

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/13/2010
    Listed in Chicago spots

    Really a good Italian/Italian-American dinner. Not exceptional, but really good, and many of dishes were two-meals worth. The eggplant parmigiana was a standout, although incredibly rich.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/25/2010

    This was my first time time at La Scarola and we went there for my friend's birthday dinner.  I can see why she picked the place!  It was a super cute place, had a great menu and was reasonably priced.  The wait staff was great as well.  Make sure you have a reservation (like we did) because the place is so good, it's always busy.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/28/2011

    (First off why is this my first review in almost two years? Swore I wrote that last one at least two weeks ago, time is flying!)

    LaScrola is LaAwesome! Any place that tells you to wait at Richard's Bar at the corner for your table is fine by me. As you probably can tell from the review, this place serves really good Italian food!
    Went there this past Saturday night for a friend's birthday party. We had a really big group but they said they could accommodate so we went with it....
    This is one of those many occasions when I wished I was Ray Liotta from Goodfella's and would get whisked through the backdoor and through the kitchen to a open table. As expected it was super-packed so we had to wait in the middle of the place which for me was fine and kinda hilarious as the owner was serving us shots of Tequila and keeping the atmosphere rolling. Some might roll their eyes at the wait, but they probably shouldn't be there in the first place.
    Once we sat down, the owner apologized for the wait and sent us rounds of appetizers, including an unbelievable plate of sausage and peppers; I would have been fine with just that it was that damn good!
    Went with the Penne Natalie special, which was noodles, mushrooms and bits of the aforementioned sausage blended together in a giant portion of yummytown.
    Have more to say but I'm getting really hungry typing this :)

    So check this place out for a old-school Italian place with a hands-on owner, great food and maybe a Ray Liotta sighting.

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/17/2007

    DOWNGRADED
    This used to be my *favorite* Italian restaurant not only because I thought the food was spectacular but the service was exceptional.  Over the last 1/2yr or so, I've seen a dramatic change in the way customers are treated.

    Due to the popularity of this restaurant, it's highly recommended that patrons make reservations for the evening.  However, it's been on multiple occasions that I've brought parties of 6-8 here **at the time of reservation** only to be sent to wait at the grungy bar next door.  Normally, a wait of 10... even 30 minutes is fine.  HOWEVER, the waits have all amounted to no less than 1-1.5hr each time.  To make matters worse, when I politely inquired about the status of our table the manager cops an attitude as if he's doing us a favor by keeping our names on his list!  We weren't the only ones given this treatment either - I noted a multitude of parties given the exact same attitude.

    I'm sorry, but no amount of good food can justify such bad reservation management and poor treatment of its patrons.  This has happened time and again - so long La Scarola, thanks for the memories.  
    The following scene from Seinfeld comes to mind:

    Jerry: I don't understand. Do you have my reservation?
    Rental Car Agent: We have your reservation, we just ran out of cars.
    Jerry: But the reservation keeps the car here. That's why you have the reservation.
    Rental Car Agent: I think I know why we have reservations.
    Jerry: I don't think you do. You see, you know how to *take* the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation. And that's really the most important part of the reservation: the holding. Anybody can just take them.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/3/2008

    Hopefully you get a good waiter because that can always make or break the meal.  When I first walked in, I told the waitress that I was here under a reservation.  She didnt even check to see how many the reservation was for.    With a scowl, she then pointed to a table of four, side note: didn't even walk me to it.  I proceeded to tell her that my reservation was for six people.  Once again, she scowled and pointed me to another table.

    Luckily, this table was out of her jurisdiction and we had another waiter who was extremely polite and warm.  The grilled octopus was absolutely delicious.    Most of their dishes are delicious, specially the Penne Sinatra, although many of them are very oily.  

    I ate here on a Sunday night so it wasn't crowded or too loud.  The busboys are very attentive and quick.  All in all, it was a great experience.  However if I had gotten that first waitress, this would be an entirely different review.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/14/2010

    I'm going to keep this one short and sweet - Armando's playful and energetic attitude, combined with the delicious food are reason enough to make this a MUST try for anyone who remotely enjoys Italian cuisine.  I was in a party of five and each and every single dish we had was wonderful.  The staff was clearly very busy but still managed to remain friendly and patient.  We had 8:30 reservations on a Saturday night and the last person in our group was an hour late, yet Armando was cheerful and seated us before she arrived.  He was celebrating his birthday so gave everyone in the restaurant free shots of Tequila.  But based on other reviews it seems he needs no reason to share shots with the patrons!  Overall, this is an amazing restaurant and I will be taking all future out-of-town guests here.

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/5/2008

    You Should: Go If Nearby
    Sizzle: Good pasta + quick service
    Juice: Savory sauce + on the dot aldente pasta make it good for a quick lunch. Big menu worth a second visit.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/26/2007

    Made reservations so didn't have the wait issue; it was a good thing too b/c the place was packed!  I thought it had charm, and didn't expect the celebrity pictures all over the walls.  The pixrs were kind of cheesy since that tends to be a stereotypical italian restaurant decorating trait.  

    At any rate, the host greeted us the second we walked in, we were seated immediately, and our server was fantastic.  Our water never got below half full and every dish came quickly.  

    All four of us loved our dishes.  My husband had the Sinatra Penne and loved it; the scallops were cooked perfectly and the muscles were big!  I had the broccoli and goat cheese pasta and it was pretty tasty.  Our two guests had chicken dishes and they both loved them.  

    We will most likely try it again.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/22/2008

    I absolutely love this place.  It's everything that I want in an Italian restaurant.  Cramped, boisterous, fun, and great food.  The staff and owners have always treated us well.  For the most part, we've avoided the Fri/Sat nights, so getting a table has been pretty easy for us.  If we're forced to wait, its quite easy to pop into Emmits or Richards for a quick beverage.

    Depending on your significant other, this may, or may not, fall into the romantic category.  However, if I'm looking for a reminder of the good times we've had in Italy, this place is top of the list.

  • 2.0 star rating
    8/26/2007

    I was SO disappointed by this place - after all the hype. Overall, the pasta was so-so, and we had to send back wine, and a person @ our table had no-so-good spaghetti and meatballs. Honestly, if you can't make the basics, why bother?

    I do give them credit though, for their good calamari - sauce was tomato (pasta-sauce-like) based (unlike the typical marinara).

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/6/2010

    I've eaten at La Scarola well over 30 times, but for some reason have never written a review. This place has some of the best Italian food in the city. If you want something that is not on the menu, just ask and they will make it for you. The fried calamari app is out of this world along with the Escarole and Beans (ask them to add Italian Sausage). For entrees you never can wrong with any of the daily specials. I typically get the linguine and clams (in white sauce) and ask them to add octopus to it for me. My parents loved the pounded Veal Chop. The other night I had the Pasta Vesuvio which was out of this world. You really can't go wrong at this place, just be sure to make a reservation a day or so ahead.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/11/2011

    Great food, go early and enjoy the small bar, it's more fun than funny!  Sort of like laughing with the bar and not at the bar.  I love the food and enjoy the friendly service.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/6/2008

    If I was in Chicago and could have dinner anywhere with any three people, alive or dead, I'd pick Joe DiMaggio, Al Capone, and  Opera at La Scarola.  

    This place is the real deal.  No pizza, but 12 kinds of veal.  Serious attitude from the staff and that creates an ambiance that you can't fake.  

    Get there early and have a drink at Richards next door.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/9/2011

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. We had the most wonderful meal, Penne with vodka sauce and baked clams. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, the pasta was el dente, the vegetables where crisp.
    The baked clams are the best in town. I recommend La Scarola but, get there early if you don't want to wait.

  • 3.0 star rating
    7/8/2007

    So.  Yelp Virgin here, and I decided to save myself for the purportedly magical La Scarola- I should have listened to my Mom and saved myself for marriage!

    I went on a Sunday night with a friend.  Even though the place was about 1/3 full, they sat us right near the kitchen.  Ignoring the bad table, we split a bottle of Chianti and ordered the grilled calamari.  I found it too chewy and not super fresh.  

    My friend ordered the chicken vesuvio (totally average) and I had the shrimp risotto (also totally average).  Both dishes came recommended to us by the waiter- maybe I should have ordered the pasta instead.  

    The portions were big, though.  The check (including tip) came out to $100.  I walked away feeling generally unimpressed, and I'm certainly not in a rush to return...  

    For those of you looking for great Italian at comparable prices, try Bella Notte down the block at Grand and Noble... much better food and service!

  • 3.0 star rating
    1/3/2011

    This is very much an authentic Italian restaurant. Massive portions and very tasty. A group of 4 of us went for a nice, hearty meal and that's exactly what we got. We were a little cramped at our table and there was not any privacy, but if that's not what you are looking for and want to stuff yourself with some vodka penne or stuffed shrimp this is your place. The wine list here is very reasonable and the menu is extensive. We also ordered the calamari and grilled octopus which both were very well prepared.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/30/2008

    Great place - long waits!  We had a reso and still waited nearly an hour!  That was disappointing, - but the food wasn't.  It was outstanding!  

    Our grilled calamari was perfectly charred and lemony, and went perfectly with our bottle of Pino Grigio as a starter.  Wow, so many veal dishes on the menu - what do I choose?....VEAL, OF COURSE!  My boyfriend and I both had diff veal dishes and both were so very tasty.  

    The service was hit/miss.  The manager walking around was fabulous and friendly, but our server herself was quiet and lacking.  

    I will go back tho.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/22/2012

    A loud, fun, and intimate place.  Food is excellent.  I like their calamari fritti, salmon, risotto de mare, pasta... everything!  A must.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/25/2008

    Thanks to Yelp, I discovered this uhhh-mazing restaurant.  Now, La Scarola definitely tops my list for Italian in Chicago.

    Our reservations were for 8:30 on a Friday night, but we ended up getting there just after 8:00, yet we were seated right away.  The staff was top-notch, and they definitely treat you like family.

    One of the owners was constantly walking around talking to all of the guests checking to make sure that everything was great. Then, at the end, he gave us a couple of shots on the house.

    I'm already planning my next--of many--visits to La Scarola.

  • 3.0 star rating
    10/25/2008

    "La Scarola": Does this mean "one shall wait for yummy food" in Italian? Yes, you will wait, but the food is delicious.

    The pasta portions served at this old-fashioned Italian restaurant are huge. Enough for 2 people - I promise. Say you go in a group of 5, split up the order: 2 pasta dishes, a few appetizers, and a meaty dish. I tell you, the pasta is very filling and too much for any average person. So if you go - share a variety of dishes to really enjoy La Scarola's take on Italian flavors. Don't spend too much on wine. Order the house Chianti to avoid unnecessary spending. You will be glad you did when the bill arrives.

    Buon Appetito!

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/19/2012

    One of the best Italian restaurant in the city.  I have tried almost everything on the menu and not once have i been disappointed.  A couple of my favorites are the sausage and peppers and the pollo italiano.  One of the best thing is that la Scarola now does delivery....i can eat at this place 5 nights a week and everyone have have brought here keeps wanting to come back here...

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/20/2007

    Amazing.  I can't believe that I have lived in Chicago my entire life and never heard of this place until recently.  It is not a great looking restaurant and there is literally no place to stand if you are waiting for a table.  

    However, the service and food are impeccable.  I was there on Friday night and I cannot wait to go back.  The second that I walked in the door I was greeted and led to a table.  And it seemed that all the servers, not just mine, said hello and smiled.  

    My BF was 30 minutes late but the waiter did not mind and made sure that I had a nice glass of wine.  And when he did show up he made sure to stick around whenever we looked up!  He also did a great job explaining the dishes and the differences between them as most pasta stuff looks the same to me.

    For less than $80, we had drinks, house salad, bruschetta, pasta lorenzo which includes chicken and shrimp in a chipotle sauce, meat lasagna with the right amount of meat!  And we could not finish a single dish.  Too bad we had plans afterward because it would have
    been nice to take some of the food home!

    (We didn't drive there so parking wasn't an issue.  Tons of cabs in area and Blue Line stop is at corner.)

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/9/2009

    Amazing wine selections, best italian food outside of Italy!!!

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/5/2010

    You have to be in the mood for La Scarola.  But if you are it is great.  Be in the mood for crowded and loud.  If you're waiting by the bar you will get bumped and pushed and waved aside by staff and patrons.  Beyond that, you have nothing to worry about - except choosing what to eat because it all looks so good.  Go with people that you will feel OK about passing dishes with because you'll want to get a taste of everything at your table.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/8/2011

    By far the best Italian food you can have in the city. Don't be discouraged by the look on the outside the rusted sign only adds to it's originality. The staff is always fast and very attentive. It's small inside but you'll feel right at home because the service is excellent and the menu is authentic. Try the Chicken Vesuvio and you'll see what I mean. The baked clams and Bruschetta is a great starter and the bar is always stocked with good wine and imported beers.

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/10/2007

    Wha? you want to cook for me? Make a note to yourself, Georgio loves Italian food.  This was my second attempt, finally had a chance to come here recently.  I had to knock off a star because, I've made a reservation but we were waited for about least 45 minutes.  They could definitely use some expansion for amount of people that were turned away.  You know what that means? great food!
    Yummmmy! I tried their steak, little dry but au juice on the side made it enjoyable.  You know this place made me feel like I was in a Godfather movie.  I totally want my own table in the back room! I want every one of them to come greet me and bring me my favorite drink.  oh and I saw there was a small opening for another picture frame.. hey.. what do I have to do to get one up there? Mr. Owner hope you are reading this..
    I'll be back again. hint hint

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 4.0 star rating
    8/5/2008

    I came here on a date.  It was great.  Friendly, and prompt service,  and the food was really good.  I had the egg plant parm, and my date had some sort of white fish.  Both were delicious.

    If you are looking for a quiet evening, then I do not recommend, because it was kind of loud.  Other than that everything else was great, including the parking.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/23/2009

    Came this past weekend for a girlfriend's birthday. We made reservations in advance, which is totally recommended because you will find this place more packed than the club next door. Our party only had to wait 5-10 minutes. Expect the tables to be neck in neck and the staff running around while balancing 3-5 plates. I ordered the swordfish off of the handwritten menu and my bf ordered the veal chop gabe. Both of our dishes were amazing and amazingly huge. The flavors were spot on and almost perfect. I also tried everyone else's dish and everything turned out great. Definitely will go back. The service was not that bad either. Just don't expect to have a quiet conversation over dinner at this spot.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/9/2007

    We were looking for a nice place to dine one Sunday night and thought of La Scarola. It had definitely been a while since I was last here and I remembered the giganto portions of delicious appetizers and entrees. The hostess seated us promptly and we ordered drinks -- an Italian import beer called Pironi -- which my husband described as Corona without the aftertaste, then started off with some wonderfully crisp fried calamari. The menu isn't child-friendly, but I was able to share half of my two 8 oz porkchop special, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy with my stepdaughter. Even though my dish was shared, I found it difficult to finish but definitely made the effort to dig into the moist meat. My husband enjoyed a large bowl of minestrone soup and then spaghetti and meatballs.

    All items were enjoyable and the service was prompt and courteous.

  • 3.0 star rating
    11/18/2010

    I had a really nice few dates at this place.  I actually like how they play up the criminal aspect of their former patrons.  

    That being said, there are plenty of nicer places to drop a few hundred dollars for a date.  

    Tips:
    - The calamari is really good.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/19/2011

    If this place wasn't so crowded on the weekends, I would go here more often. Unfortunately, I'm not the only one who loves it. The Veal alla Gabe is outrageously delicious, the grilled calamari is so good it makes you wonder why you ever get it fried, but you can get stuck waiting for a table at the bar (right in the middle of the restaurant) awkwardly close to people sitting down. Try to go at an off time but either way you'll forget all about being pressed up against a bunch strangers for 20 minutes after you take your first bite.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/10/2007

    One of my FAVORITE places to eat!!! Nothing has ever disappointed me here.  I have been going for years.  I recommend going with friends, family, out of town guests who are looking for great food, also it is a wonderful date place.  It does not matter who you go with, just go! I love the Gnocchi, and the risotto with Goat cheese is to die for, however, Nothing has ever been disappointing.  If you have a reservation and need to wait, stop by the dive bar next door for a drink, fun change of pace, you never know who you will meet.  Life is meant to be unplanned!!

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/25/2010

    Everybody knows that Italian food always taste better the next day. After having a wonderful meal from hear it made me want to move back to Chicago. It's definitely outdated looking but it's their trademark to have all the famous people on the walls here. I took the advise of trying the grilled calamari and loved the balsmic vinegar that was on it. I also had so much food that I made myself sick. I found myself eating just for the taste of the penne pasta w/ vodka sauce and shrimp. I will be back to La Scarola again sometime soon I hope.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/4/2008

    This is one of my favorite restaurants, and I am just sad that I don't get to go there too often.  I first went there with the daughter of someone whose photo is on the wall, and was treated like family.  After we broke up, I get treated just as well.  

    I crave their pasta fagioli, and if there is a single recommendation I can make for this restaurant would be to try there version of this soup.  

    Every meal I have had at La Scarola has been a stand out meal.  Not one of those meals have been run of the mill (not in description or execution).

    I can't say enough good about this place, and the only detractor would be that is can be tough to get a seat at times.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/3/2009

    My husband and I came here on Monday night to celebrate our 6 month wedding anniversary.  We live a few blocks away, but never knew it existed!  It was recommended by a co-worker, so we wanted to check it out.  The place is very homey and charming.  Lots of pictures on the walls of famous people with the owner.  The service was excellent.  Our waiter helped me decide what to get and it was a great suggestion (pasta with garlic cream sauce, chicken, tomatoes, spinach and asparagus)!  You can get an entree for $12 or $30, so it doesn't have to be super expensive.  Definitely try the bruschetta - best I've ever had and it's less than $5.  The house wine was a little pricey - $7 for a glass.  I would definitely come back here again for a nice Italian meal.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/4/2011

    Excellent old time Italian! So hard to find classic Italian in Chicago. Great price, wonderful energy and ambiance.  The escarole soup is a must have.  We have gone for Christmas eve as a family on two different occasions and will be sure to return!

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/19/2009

    This restaurant looks like a hole in the wall, but it's truly one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to in Chicago. The portions are great and it's very reasonable. I recommend this place to anyone. It's great for a first date or with a few other people. It's good to call ahead of time cause they are always packed.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/21/2010

    This place is just good Italian.  My husband and I thought we could come in early on a Friday after the longest week of work, but we had to head over to Richard's, which reeks of smoke but has $4 beers so that's fine by me.  The place is extremely busy and small, but the service was great and the food was tasty.  We liked the calamari, but really enjoyed the gnocci special.  The head chef offered to buy me a drink, but the wine and Richards were enough for me to handle :)  Good times, I'd go back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/16/2007

    We ate here later in the evening on a Thursday. When it was still busy, yet without a lengthy wait. The bartender was friendly and helpful as we did order a drink while we waited for a table.

    Our waiter was good, although not overly friendly or helpful. And we were quite aware that they were closing up shop and ready to head out as we finished, althought there were several tables still seated. We did try the fried calamari, delicious. The grilled octopus wasn't as good. Somehow everyone in our five person party picked some kind of fish/seafood. All were great- lots of flavor, tasty pasta, veggies and fish. No one had a complaint, although we did leave with 4 doggie bags.
    On a side note, I wasn't that impressed by the wine list, not that interesting. All in all, the place lived up to the positive things we'd heard and I'd definitely love to go back and try a few other things on the menu.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/12/2012

    i have to agree with the rest of the yelpers..exceptional Italian food .my husband us Sicilian and he even said if was the best Italian food he's had! the grilled calamari was so tender and flavorful. i had the pasta Sinatra..penne in vodka sauce with shrimp,mussels, and scallops. ..yummy! my husband had the shrimp fra diavolo..delicious. the home made tiramisu was a great ending. definitely make reservations. small place and loud atmosphere. an added plus was sitting next to a well known Chicago tv anchorman! Armando the owner may ask you to wait next door at  Richards bar,a 1920s speakeasy. smoking is allowed! we will definitely bring our friends and family back to La Scarola!

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/7/2010

    This is my favorite italian restaurant ever. Everything they have tastes incredible. The sauces they make are delicious. They have huge portions, fabulous appetizers, beautiful wine...  But besides the food, the decor and energy of the place makes it all worthwhile. The service is always perfect. It's a great place to go on a date or with a group.

  • 2.0 star rating
    11/4/2009

    I am amazed that people think this place is so great. Almost everyone in my family claim this place is the best Italian restaurant in the city, suggest that everyone go there, yada yada yada. I think the food is VERY over rated. It is not very good at all...very bland, little flavor. The atmosphere is cute in terms of the wall decor but the table set up stinks. I would skip this one.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/29/2010

    I went to La Scarola last night with my parents who were visiting for the weekend - it was really great - it's a tiny, little cramped place but it was oozing with charm - the food is more traditional italian (ie not spaghetti and meatballs) - the octopus appetizer and the antipasto were great - I had this rad chicken dish - I can't remember the name but it had hot peppers in it - it was great to eat it, but I had to make poo about 20 times once I got home - I would totally go here again

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/12/2007

    My boyfriend and I dined with his parents acouple of weeks ago at the recommendation of some friends, and we were very happy with our dining experience.  We came in early (4 p.m. which is what time they open), and the chef immediately brought out a completmentary appetizer sampler (grilled clamari, anti-pasta, etc) for the entire table because we were "early diners."   That type of treatment pretty much guarantees repeat business from me.

    The atmospere was very old school Chicago Italian (almost) cafe.... white table cloths, lots of tables close together, tons of old photos on the wall, etc.  The service was impecible; both attentive and non-intrusive...  I didn't have so much as a bread crumb on the table.  

    As far as the menu is concerned, for starters we had the stuffed mushrooms were rich and delicious, and perfect to share.  We asked the server for menu recommendations, and from there we ordered a penne alla vodka, shrimp risotto,  Bistecca alla Zorich (peppercorn filets... oh my god, they will melt in your mouth), and a pesto pasta special that we shared.  Everything was delicious and the portions were healthy enough for us to bring some home.  For desert we shared some cheesecake and Tiramisu (perhaps the best I have ever eaten) and even though we were stuffed, we practically licked the plates clean.

    Unfortunately, I didn't explore the wine list... we just drank a glass of the house Chianti, but it did the job.  

    Most of the complaints I see here are about the place being loud and over-crowded, but I can also see that as being part of the charm.  Although it was quiet when I dined here, I will prepare myself for a different, more chaotic experience down the road.  If you ask me... just about anything is worth the fare here.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/13/2007
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    so I recently spent about 7 weeks in China...
    I ate tons of amazing sushi, great Buddhist veggie food, lots of odd/questionable Chinese and some terrible attempts at "Western" food.
    For a place that supposedly "invented" spaghetti they sure as hell can't make it!  I would have settled for a jar of Ragu!

    My point, when I got back to Chicago I wanted ITALIAN, pronto!
    So we headed from O'hare right to La Scarola!  AMAZING!
    Honestly nothing else to say, just go and EAT!

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/14/2009

    Delish! One of my new favorite Italian spots. We started out with the grilled calamari which was really good, cooked just right. A couple of my dining companions also got the pasta fagiole soup, and it was a taste of heaven! The broth was wonderful and it was packed with beans & pasta. I wished I had gotten it but then I wouldn't have had room for my entree :-/

    Speaking of entrees, I had the penne alla vodka and it was (pardon the stupid expression but it sums it up nicely) 'the bomb'. It was packed with mushrooms & asparagus & some perfectly cooked big, plump shrimp. The sauce was wonderful - creamy but not so much so that it felt to heavy. One of my dining companions got a similar dish to mine, with a vodka sauce, but hers also had mussels and scallops in it . It was equally delicious, with just a slightly creamier sauce. Another ordered the chicken vesuvio which I did not try, but she loved it. And it was a huge portion. She had meant to get the pasta vesuvio with chicken but ordered wrong, and when she talked to our server about it, he ended up bringing out a side of pasta for her, even though it was her error. That is the other thing about this place, the service was fantastic. Our server was on point the whole time, great with suggestions on what to get. And the manager stopped by our table at least 3 times throughout the time we were there to check-in and make sure we were having a good time and enjoyed the food.

    The restaurant was hopping on a Saturday night so expect a wait, even if you have a reservation which we did. We got there for our reservation at 8 but didn't get seated until 8:40ish (which is very typical according to my friends who go there 4-5 times a year). But, just do what we did and go next door to Richards for a drink or two and the manager will let you know when to come back (they can either call you or they'll tell you a time to come back). I loved the hustle & bustle of this place though so I didn't mind having to wait. But if that bothers you, then I would suggest going during the week and avoid going on a Fri or Sat night.

    Overall this was a great dining experience. I can't wait to go back.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/8/2007

    Yeesh, I should have figured there would be a billion reviews for this scrumptious place :) Ever since we came here for my husband's birthday years back, I'm an addict. You can't go wrong with their specials especially the homemade GNOCCHI or anything with seafood that is oh so fresh and delicious. They use plenty of butter and olive oil... mmmmm... be sure to come with comfortable pants. Reservations are good here, but not always required, you'd be surprised.

    I just have a warm fuzzy feeling eating here because of all the fun memories we've experienced over dinner. Edward H. got us started here, and I thank God for that. It's a little crowded and loud, but the incredible Italian food and excellent wine selection will keep you coming over and over and over... add some good friends to the mix and you'll have an awesome time. The wait staff is really friendly and patient, even with rowdy groups.

    I love La Scarola :)

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/7/2008

    i love this old timers italian restaurant!  It reminds me of Dan Tana's or La Scala both in Beverly Hills. The food is excellent!

    I go here with my italian husband and his italian counterparts. I love to fill up on the amazing pasta, bread and oil and listen to the old timers tell their stories.  

    italian comfort food and great conversation. ahhhh.....

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/22/2009
    Listed in My Neighborhood

    Hands down great Italian food. This is my second time eating here and I was still impressed. It gets incredibly crowded and the only downside was that we were sitting in a high traffic area. Regardless the service was great, the atmosphere is full of energy. I had the spicy pasta with mozzarella and basil (I think if i remember correctly) So so good, i never finish pasta dishes and i wanted to eat all of this. The bruchetta is terrific as well.

  • 5.0 star rating
    7/5/2007

    After many suggestions to come here to try the food, and such rave reviews, a couple of friends and I came here for lunch. La Scarola is in a very convenient location - right off the Blue Line Grand station. Just a 2-minute walk, and you're there! That way you don't have to bring a car and worry about parking. Although, I didn't really have an issue finding a space when I got there.

    The millions of pictures on the wall (not literally) and the fireplace makes it feel like home, especially since the staff is so friendly and attentive. We came for an early lunch, so it wasn't packed or crowded yet. After looking at the menu, the 3 of us didn't know what to order because it all sounded so good! And we wanted to try something new, so that made it difficult to decide which dish to try first.

    After much deliberation, my friends decided on the pasta giovanni, and I got the penne alla gianna. And for the appetizer, we got the obligatory fried calamari, since we were in an Italian restaurant. Let me tell you - calamari was delightful. It was just soft enough for it to be crunchily scrumptious. They know the 3- or 30-minute rule!

    And the pastas... I felt like I died and went to heaven when I had my first bite of each. That vodka sauce has left me wanting more, and I cannot wait to come back here again.

    Final verdict: I am totally in love with this place! Just when I thought that I'd found the best Italian restaurant ever... this one comes along and blows it out of the water!

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/13/2008

    I've been a regular here for since moving for about five years - thought I've had enough experiences to finally write a review.

    We usually go on Saturday, before the huge rush begins. Since this place has become SO popular, it absolutely imperative that you make a reservation. It's funny to see all the people that still come in with no reservation and have to find someplace else to eat.

    It's an extremely crowded and noisy at times, but that's part of the charm. There's no shortage of athletes and celebrities that can be spotted here that's evident by the pictures on the walls. We saw former Chicago Cub and current NY Yankee manager Joe Girardi eating here once.

    As for the food, though the prices have been steadily rising, it remains one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. For appetizers, escarole and beans and sausage and escarole are very good. The portions of the entrees justify the prices - they are huge. I almost always have leftovers. One of my favorite dishes is the Gamberi Risotto, which is topped with prosciutto-wrapped shrimp. Eggplant parmesan and ravioli are very good. I often will try a special - they have a number of different ones and they change often.  All the chicken dishes I've had are excellent, including Chicken Vesuvio. I've had the pork chops,  prepared Italian-style, which means it's floating in flavorful juices.

    This is a restaurant to recommend to anyone looking for authentic Southern Italian cooking with a nice atmosphere and large portions.

    Update*** Last time here had a special called Ricotta Meatballs served over capellini pasta (angel hair). It was outstanding! Three giant meatballs stuufed with Ricotta cheese and pasta with a spicy (not hot, but not sweet) marinara sauce. Escarole and beans are always a great appetizer. This might be the best Italian restaurant in the city.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/20/2009

    I love their grilled calamari.  Next time I go, I am getting that for dinner --- all to myself. The guy who seats you is kind of a goof.  But I guess that's his charm.  We had to wait 30 minutes past our reservation, so he got us 2 rounds of tequila shots and appetizers.  Very nice.

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/25/2007

    I had the veal mondelli.  Way tender and quality flavor(cooked better than they did at Carmichael's).  Butter, mushrooms, zucchini all simmered to perfection.  Coulda used some fresh herbs on top.

    We made a 730 reservation and weren't seated til 8.  There were tons of people waiting and tons being turned away.  Our seat was at the door which, on this first +70 degree day,was a great place to be.

    The steak was tender, and the shrimp tasted a bit dirty.  The calamari way over cooked.  Bruchetta was just OK too.  After all the rave reviews, I was sadly disappointed. I think I'd rather a low key night @ Salerno's up the street instead.  We didn't waste time or hearing(VERY LOUD in there this Sunday nite)on desert or coffe, and opted for a Freddo from Iguana to cap off the nite. yelp.com/biz/d1_U0mQp4Ut…

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/28/2009

    I never bothered to write a review because I thought everyone knows how great this place is.

    Grew up in an Italian house so I am a total Italian food snob and I can say con convicion - this place leaves nothing to desire.

    I was there again last Friday - the risotto with shrimp wrapped in prosciutto brought me to a level of bliss that I have only hit few times in my life - none of which had ever occurred in a restaurant.

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/23/2007

    The best Italian fare in this fine city!  With excellent service and an intimate cafe ambiance, you are in for a treat whenever dining at La Scarola.  Pictures of Stars who have visited the establishment over the years are all over the walls, can keep you entertained for the length of your next few visits!

    This place has the best Veal Parm I have ever had the pleasure of tasting, but my two absolute favorites at La Scarola are the Pasta alla Diavolo, and the Pasta Armani.  Warning, if you are on a date, the Armani is not the way to go, unless you are out with an Italian woman who becomes excited at the aroma of Garlic!!!  

    I would also highly recomment the Pasta Fagiole, another best of on my list.  It is a great warm up for the meal to come!

    Friendly service and feasibility of location at Halsted/Grand/Milwaukee intersection make this and easy spot.  If you are going at night, make sure to get a reservation, this place fills up quick.  It is a great lunch spot for the extremely hungry!

  • 3.0 star rating
    12/7/2011

    I've been here a number of times in the past, but this place just does not seem to get better with time. The food is great, but I don't know if it's worth the wait when you have other places just as good within five minutes driving distance.
    Reservations now seem to be a waste of time at this establishment because they always seem to be running behind schedule. Example, if you wish to be seated by 7pm, then reserve at 6:30pm.
    You must know, there is no bar area or seating. So don't be surprised if you have to stand in a small crammed spot between tables & bar.
    What I do enjoy about this place is the food...
    Not a vast menu with selections but the specials are great and change daily. Chicken seems to dominate this menu but I wish they had more choices of seafood. The Grilled Calamari is much better than fried and I really love the Linguini & Clams. Sausage and Peppers are a great starter as well.
    Valet parking is only $4.50 at the moment, but most other locations within the area are $5 & up. If they can work out the kinks (organization) that most new restaurants seem to suffer from, I could add another star, but this place has been in business long enough.

  • 4.0 star rating
    2/2/2012

    Some of the best Italian food I've had in Chicago! They have great food and HUGE portions. But I'm giving them four stars instead of five because the decor is quite tacky and they were a bit rude to us when we came in without reservations on a weekend night. They do get packed, so I'd recommend reservations, but at the same time they shouldn't treat you poorly just because you don't have them (especially when you're willing to wait!).

  • 1.0 star rating
    8/13/2011

    Would rather eat month old lean cuisine ravioli. Worst. Restaurant. Ever. Save your time and money and just ask a bum to take a crap in a cup and hand it to you.

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/16/2009

    This place is pretty good! Service is a little rude but it kinda goes with the ambiance. This is good American style Italian food. I have to say that it is not like food in Italy at all ( I grew up in Parma Italy half my life). These potions here are huge, sloppy and too greasy. But, everything tasted great and I would definitely return. Again, this is American/Italian food. Don't think your getting authentic Italian food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/23/2010

    My boyfriend and I have gone here for our past 2 anniversaries. Both times the owner, Armando, came by our table periodically with a handful of shots to do with him! Last weekend we sat by a large group of obnoxious guys, and the owner gave his apologies and wrote 15% off on our table cover. When he came by with another round of shots, he turned that into 25% off and threw in free cheesecake and canolis for dessert. GO HERE.

  • 2.0 star rating
    11/16/2011

    We went here on a Wednesday night and had reservations for 7:30pm. We arrived on time but were told it would be 20-25 minutes (for real?!) and so we had the choice of standing in one of the crammed aisle with my purse completely invading someone's table space or we could go outside in the freezing cold to wait. Awesome. If it weren't for our friends' insistence that this place was good we would've bailed. This place is seriously a fire code violation disguised as a tacky "authentic" Italian mobster restaurant that hasn't been updated since 1982, complete with photos of celebrities and known people who had once been crammed in there themselves. The tables were jammed in so tight and people couldn't pass each other in the aisle without tipping over someone's wine. Luckily, at 8:00 we were seated by the window, so it was thankfully a tad bit quieter as this place was outrageously loud. We ordered the mussels in red sauce for the appetizer and they were fishy and overcooked. I ordered the risotto primavera and it was good (not great by any means) as it was swimming in oil. The portion sizes ARE generous, but when I could not finish my meal, I passed on even taking the leftovers home because of the amount of oil. It was a "meh" meal with good friends who liked the place as they had been before. I tolerated the ridiculous environment for them. Had it been just myself and my husband we would've left 15 minutes after our reservation was not honored. If you want to feel like a sardine in a loud outdated tin can, go here, you won't be disappointed.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/12/2011

    This restaurant is finger licking good. Old school Italian restaurant with huge portions, great wine and a hand written daily specials menu..the food is outstanding and I highly recommend ordering from the daily specials menu, The place is tiny and jam packed 7 days a week. Reservations are recommended and on weekends a must to get a table. The wait is well worth it. Try the grilled octopus its wonderful as are all the pastas and taramisu

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/12/2007

    I did carry out from La Scarola last night and was delighted.

    The Risotto Primavera is to die for...YUM!  My friend got the chicken parm (a staple order for her at la scarola), I ordered the Cheese Raviolis alla Forno (cheese rav w/spinach) and we shared that delectable risotto...which was my most favorite.

    Although we didn't eat there, I loved the homey feel of the place and will certainly return.  Also, Mike, the valet was the sweetest...he watched my car while I ran in to p/u food and refused a tip...just would not accept one.  I left with a tip from him...Happy New Year!  Awwwww....I like it here.

  • 2.0 star rating
    8/6/2011

    Took an hour for a table even though we had a reservation. Ordered the risotto with seafood (can' recall the name) which had puddles of oil on the sides. I had to order a spoon to scoop out the oil. We had just ordered another bottle of wine when the tables were cleared and one of the bus boys started vacuuming the floor right by our table. Not sure what all the hype is about.

  • 3.0 star rating
    5/22/2009

    Not that this place needs another review, but after just finishing my second lunch of the delicious pasta diavolo leftovers, I really feel I must say the food was DELICIOUS and the portions were ginormo. Atmosphere is good for a dinner with friends, but I didn't find it all that romantic; the menu is pretty standard Italian. They don't take a lot of "risks" with the food, but it's so good, they really don't have to!

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/23/2008
    2 check-ins

    yummy yummy yummy. I loved the appetizers, main course, wine, and OMG the tiramisu! I was taken here by a lovely friend of mine and am so glad we went. I'm drooling a little now thinking of all that pasta and seafood. Something to the effect of Homer Simpson, but you get the idea. Yumm!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 4.0 star rating
    5/21/2007

    Very cute, AUTHENTIC italian restaurant!  I can totally see why ppl. talk this place up.  Definitely a hidden gem of river west.

    large, flavorful portions.  Great wine selection and attentive staff.
    I got the bistecca de zorich, which was sliced medallions of filet mignon w/ mushrooms and AWESOME potatoes.  Their penne alla vodka was AMAZING!  The chicken vesuvio looked hearty (I was impressed w/ the peas in the sauce.  nice, authentic touch).
    Tartufo was a nice finish to a great meal.  

    Will DEFINITELY be back!

    *very clean ladies' restroom!!   =)

  • 5.0 star rating
    3/24/2010

    This place is awsome...its a little smail, pretty noisy, small tables in close proximity and you usually have to wait for a table even with a reservation...The food though is top notch....I enjoy everything they have here...excellent italian food with great service....Don't let the little things get in the way of enjoying this place...give it a try and you will become a fan...even when it gets crowded, people are polite and courteous so don't let that stop you...

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/30/2009

    Do I amuse you? Yes.  Do you think I'm a clown?  No.   Seriously, one one of the best restaurants in all of Chicago.  Service 5 Stars and food was 5 stars.  It's basically a 2 for 1 night as you'll get to have a drink at Richard's Bar while you wait for your seat.  If that isn't a good night out, nothing is.  Kapish?

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/16/2006

    My friends turned me onto La Scarola the first year I moved to Chicago.  They used to live a block away, so it was very convenient. We all have moved all over the city since then, but it has remained a staple in our get togethers!  It's easy to get to, fairly easy parking and the blue line is right on the corner.

    The staff is very friendly and the food is great.  We are addicted to the Vodka Pasta Sauce, it's soooo good.  And you can substitute it on almost any order.  It can get a little crowded at times, but that just proves that people keep coming back for more.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/12/2007

    YUM!  Love the food here, but not the most comfortable place to go. It's teeny and cramped, which some might way is cool and intimate, but on crowded nights, you're sitting on top of your neighbors and the waiters can't help but bump into you.....

    ...still, the food is awesome and HUGE. You have to have the pasta y fagioli which is the great thick bean and pasta soup. Have a cup cuz if you have a bowl you'll be too full to eat your entree.  Great entrees include the veal and pasta dishes, and the salmon too. There's always a special or two that tempts as well. And speaking of temptation, beware that bread basket. It's tasty, but takes up space that might otherwise be filled with stuff you can't get elsewhere.

  • 5.0 star rating
    4/27/2010 Updated review

    Yep....still 'da best!!

    5.0 star rating
    1/24/2010 Previous review
    ummm...yeah, still the best in the city!
    5.0 star rating
    11/2/2009 Previous review
    Duh! No Brainer! Other than Via Carducci (the Carducci in Lincoln Park-haven't tried the… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    8/15/2008

    I really wish there were half stars, because giving this place 4 is a stretch. The food is delicious but the service absolutely marred our experience. We chose this place to eat for my boyfriend's birthday dinner last night at the last minute because we needed some place open late after he got stuck working late on a project.

    Initially, I made a 10pm reservation and I made sure to check that the restaurant would not be closing to ensure us time to enjoy our meal. I moved it up to 9:30 when it looked as if he would be leaving work earlier than scheduled. As you would have it, we ended up being delayed by a few things so we called again to ask if we could return to our initial reservation. On each call, the gentleman was friendly and insisted that it was no trouble.

    When we arrived, the host invited us to sit wherever as there were only a few scattered tables. We chose to sit in the back of the middle room for a more intimate setting. When our server approached us she looked grim as she briskly handed us our menus and asked if we'd like a drink. We had planned to get a bottle of wine so we said that water would be fine. Upon inspecting the menu, we noticed that the wine selection was absent. When our waitress returned, we asked for a wine list and she was visibly annoyed at having to make the second trip. When she brought back the wine list, she gave us less than a minute to view the selections before she was back with pen and pad in hand as we were obviously still going over the list. We hurried our selection as she stood impatiently and within a minute of ordering our wine she was asking us to order our main dishes. At that point we had been seated less than 4 minutes and were still discussing appetizers. This went on for the entire dinner and we felt like an absolute burden to our waitress. When my boyfriend's first entree choice was not available, she did not allow him any additional time to review the menu and stood waiting when he obviously wanted a minute to review his other options. We were also asked if we'd like to box our food before we were halfway through our meal, and after dropping off the check with our dessert, she lingered around making it uncomfortably obvious that she wanted us to pay. When I was assured that we would be served at 10pm, I expected it to be with the same friendliness of an 8pm arrival. I've been in her shoes as a waitress and while it can be frustrating to watch people linger (although we left the second that we finished everything), a fine dining restaurant should allow at least an hour from arrival to departure.

    The only reason this place gets four stars is because it deserves six stars for the food. We ordered calamari for our appetizer, and it came out perfectly seasoned and fried. I've never been a huge fan of calamari, but I was able to split this order with no problem. For our main dishes, I ordered a specialty dish of penne pasta, shrimp, broccoli, tomatoes, and portabella mushrooms sautéed with a lemon white wine sauce. My boyfriend's meal was a chipotle red sauce with shrimp and sliced grilled chicken served over bow tie pasta. Although my boyfriend's dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, both could not have been prepared better. The portions are quite hefty as well, and I bagged well over half of my meal to take home. For dessert we had a slice of cheesecake that had a very distinct lemon flavor. It was enjoyable, but I would have much preferred a plain flavor.

    As much as the service upset me, this was a damn good meal. I'd like to think that our arrival time had everything to do with our experience and that upon return we have a more pleasant time. My overall consensus is that this could be a wonderful place for a nice dinner as long as it's not after 9:30.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/23/2009

    La Scarola is phenomenal!!!  They run the whole spectrum of Italian food and is definitely the best in Chicago.  I have been there with a group, just my wife, and I have had it for take-out.  Every time I go there I am amazed at how great this place is.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/14/2008

    After my second experience here, I felt compelled to write something about this unique and very enjoyable establishment.

    Do you go here for the fancy "italian" dining experience? No.  Do you go here for the authentic italian food and hospitality? Yes, absolutely.  While the term "reservation" is used rather loosely here, it is well worth the wait at the neighborhood bar next door for the homestyle service and authentic italian food that La Scarola has to offer.  

    Awesome food, large portions, and a special place in my heart due to the memories it evokes.  Ever since I moved from Philly, I have not been able to find italian food his authentic.  The owners and waitstaff go out of their way to make you feel at home and to me, the decor makes me fee right at home whether I'm dressed to the nines or in jeans.  

    The owner, Armado, has a big personality and circulates the restaurant to make sure that patrons are enjoying their dining experience.  

    All in all, I highly recommend this place for a great italian meal, whether its a special day or just a night out where you don't feel like cooking.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/30/2009

    Just back from a week in Chi-town, and numerous people here in Oregon had told me about this place, which is a bit off the Loop on West Grand...It is most definitely a hole in the wall, it is most definitely loud, and the food is pretty good. The owner has photos on the wall with him and Illinois celebrities..my favorite is with Rod Blajoviech ..

  • 2.0 star rating
    11/7/2011

    Marinara drenched, tacky, mob fantasy, tourist trap.  Nothing special, unless you're into that sort of thing.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/29/2007

    I ordered carry out from here, so I did not get the full La Scarola experience, though I did go in the restaurant to pick up the food- and holy moly, it was loud and cramped but in a nice old Italian restaurant way. Definitely make reservations if you attempt to go here on a Friday or Saturday night. I stood right near the busy busy kitchen to wait for the food order.

    We ordered two dishes- I had shrimp and pasta that was delicious. The shrimp were large and tasted very fresh. It was in a fantastic vodka sauce. The other dish was the pasta vesuvio.  Delicious. I also had a house salad- the tomatoes were huge. I really liked the dressing, though it was a bit oily. The bread was great and they gave us the equivalent of a loaf.

    I look forward to taking guests to this restaurant. The carry out experience was much more romantic and laid back because we didn't endure the crazed restaurant. :) A very nice option.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/16/2008 Updated review

    Ate hear again back in July, Much better experience, I guess you need to go at off peak hours to really enjoy the restaurant, I'll be back for sure.

    3.0 star rating
    12/17/2007 Previous review
    Wasn't a bad meal, Just doesn't live up to the hype, It was what I expected, Average fare with good… Read more
  • 4.0 star rating
    1/10/2010

    Great dining experience.  The food was excellent and the atmosphere was amazing.  The waitstaff and owner were very attentive and the service was also pefect.  They made the birthday dinner for my wife one of the best ever.

    I had a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night and was seated by 7:10.  Highly recommended for one of the best Italian dining experiences in the city

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/18/2007

    I had no problem with a wait on a Sunday night, we had reservations and it didn't seem super busy.
    It is tiny inside and very charming. A lot of family photos and celebs on the wall.

    I really loved the special appetizer of grilled calamari with balsamic. For dinner I had the Macaroni-huge noodles with tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves and fresh mozzarella. Their cannollis are worth a taste for sure!

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/3/2010

    Without a doubt some of the best pasta and calamari I've had in the city, and the prices are fantastic! Not to mention the laid back atmosphere and convenient proximity to the Grand Ave blue line stop and several bars and pubs! I say it's a must visit!

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/6/2006

    Four and a half stars.  An all-around good experience.  The staff was very nice--so nice, in fact, that they sent over a free appetizer for our table, because one person in our party had been waiting for the others for such a long time.  And the food was very nice, as well.  My pasta vesuvio was very tasty, and had just the right note of citrus in it.  (Though it was a garlic bomb, so beware!)

    The veal marsala, which I didn't have but tasted, was excellent.  Just perfect, full of big mushrooms and super-tender veal.  I think when we go back, I might have to have the veal marsala, because my mouth is watering now thinking about it.  My boyfriend liked his ravioli very much, too, so that dish was also successful.

    This restaurant is also VERY convenient for a dinner before some even at the United Center, and I suspect we'll frequent it solely for before-UC dining.

  • 1.0 star rating
    5/2/2009

    Not impressed w/ this place.  We made a Friday night 8:30pm "reservation" and waited nearly an hour outside, while the host kept coming out and telling us it would "only be 2 more minutes."  We finally got fed up and left.  Skip it unless maybe you go there for lunch during a week day.

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/7/2007

    Delish, cozy and fantastic.  A true Chicago gem.

    1 entree gave me enough leftovers for FOUR meals!  Talk about getting your money's worth!

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/10/2006
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    My favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago.....

    La Scarola has absolutely excellent Italian food and portions big enough to share. It is pretty small and packed when busy, which in my opinion makes it all the more homey and enjoyable. Make a reservation.

    The pricing is more than $8-15 though - I don't remember seeing an entree on the menu for under $10, and most are pushing $20. If you want a filet or something, you'll be paying more.

    Get more info here :http://www.lascarola.com/

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/24/2010

    Could not get over how crowded this place was on a Tuesday night!  I highly recommend calling for reservations ahead of time - my party of 4 did, and we had no problem getting seated right away.

    Our server was very akward, but I won't hold that against the restaurant.  Everything we had was absolutely delicious!  Sausage and pepper appetizer and antipasto platter to start - so good!  The pasta dishes are huge, so definitely sharable, plus this way you can try a few different things!  Flavorful sauces and tasty pasta...all so good!

    Compared to some other neighborhood Italian restaurants, I thought it was a little pricey, but still delicious!

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/11/2009

    The food is good but the place is small!  Make reservations ahead of time if you have a timed date and need to be at a movie afterward.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/11/2011

    My trip to La Scarola was on an absolutely frigid Saturday evening when the windchill must have been twenty below. We dropped off the ladies and found parking a block or two away before sprinting to the door. The dining room was PACKED with very close tables and the unusually welcoming warmth of wall to wall patrons accompanying some truly wonderful aromas. After a very brief wait for our table, we were seated in a cozy corner of the main dining room. I was at first a bit uncomfortable with the tight and cluttered surroundings, but it's amazing how quickly an attentive waiter, a nice bottle of red and the arrival of the delectable calamari appetizer transformed this crowded room into a comfortable familial experience. Our party of four enjoyed the tender calamari, a variety of salads, a seafood pasta dish (my basis for comparison for any Italian or Mediterranean restaurant) and an assortment of other standards (veal scallopini and chicken vesuvio if I recall correctly). We all devoured our entrees and sat happily to digest before ordering the requisite tiramisu and Italian coffee for dessert. We had to leave for a show at Second City else we would have lingered longer. A very nice experience at La Scarola and hopefully one that will be repeated soon!

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/27/2009

    Another fabulously delicious meal from La Scarola.  This place was introduced to my husband and I on our first visit to Chicago, before we ever made our move.  The food left us craving more, but wait, there was an easy fix ... we had a massive amount of leftovers.  The portions here are out of control, but I'm not complaining!  This place has become a solid "go-to" when guest are in town.  Funny how the tables turn.  The food is always piping hot, flavors are wonderful and the staff is very attentive.  Check it out.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/16/2011
    5 check-ins

    food is excellent(comfort style food meaning big portions).  loud and tight eating quarters.  the wait can be long for a table.  staff is friendly.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/5/2006

    Today, I tried La Scarola for lunch with a friend.  No reservation needed, smaller portions than for dinner and super good service.  The Linguini pasta with Clams (white sauce) was fresh, the soup delish and the experience very positive.

    BTW:  if you are the type that seeks out the 3-martini lunch spot - given my observations, this could be your place.  Fun crowd.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/8/2010

    Living only a few blocks from here and having walked past it many many times, you think I would be a regular! I decided to give it a try last night with my girls. We were very excited as the reviews looked favorable and the menu delicious. The food did not let us down. We had a range of dishes at the table and they all looked wonderful. I personally had the pasta vesuvio which was so tasty as well as a house salad. Portion size is very large and I feel well priced (great leftover place). The disappointment came when all 5 of us wished to pay by card. Our waitress stated that she could only accept 3. Now I understand that they have to pay a fee per swipe, but that's something that should have been stated up front and put a bit of a damper on the evening as only 1 of us had cash (and they do not have an ATM on-site).

    I will definitely return as the food was SOO good, but wish our waitress wouldn't have been so upset with us.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/12/2011

    One of the best Italian food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/19/2009

    The first time I came here, the evening did not start off well. It was a very busy Saturday night and a friend and I had a 9:00 reservation. When we were finally seated at 9:45, we were given the table DIRECTLY in front of the door, and it was COLD out. In about 2 minutes, the night completely turned around for the better.
    Right after we were seated, the server asked if we would like to move tables and we responded YES!. He brought over 2 complimentary glasses of wine, apologized for the inconvenience, and we were reseated within 3 minutes.
    We ordered antipasto and mussels for appetizers, and could hardly tear ourselves away from the delicious bread and rosemary infused olive oil. Both appetizers were awesome.
    We shared an Ahi tuna special and the prosciutto wrapped shrimp with risotto and they were great as well. I had never been a fan a tiramisu before this place, but man, do I love it now!
    The seating is a little tight, but I just like to see it as adding to the atmosphere, giving it a very tight knit family vibe.
    Come hungry and share everything!

  • 4.0 star rating
    12/15/2009

    Reliable, mafia-style italian restaurant.  Don't walk here because the immediate area can be shady, but it's located by public trans options, or there is always valet.  Lock the glovebox.

  • 4.0 star rating
    11/5/2011

    This is exactly what I was looking for when looking for a low-key authentic Italian restaurant. The ambience was welcoming..it was apparent that the staff loved their jobs and the manager shooke people's hands and chatted with everyone like they were VIP! The food was delicious. Hands down had the best calamari I've ever had...I'm def going back even if it's just for that!

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/4/2006

    I feel like Yelp needs to allow us half stars.  For La Scarola I'd give it 4 and a half stars.  It lost .5 stars due to the hardness of the bread.  I like a good soft inside on my Italian bread.

    Otherwise the meal was fabulous.  The chef sent us out a free appetizer (yay!) and it was delicious.  All of our meals were very well enjoyed (and three out of 4 of us even finished our very large portions - just goes to show how good it was).  And my flour-less chocolate cake was decadent.  A filling and satiating meal...

    The atmosphere is sort of old school - lots of pictures and sort of kitschy Italian wall painting.  And wow does the chef (owner?) look like Ozzie Guillen.  You could fool your friends...

  • 3.0 star rating
    3/26/2009

    This place has good Italian food. I had spaghetti and clam sauce and it was good, but I was kinda disappointed in the amount of clams. Also the logistics of this place suck. I love the decor, really old school Italian, but the tables are SO close together that people walking by kept bumping into us. Annoying! Service was very good though, despite the small space. Solid Italian food but really more of a "legendary" spot than a foodie one.

  • 1.0 star rating
    7/11/2011

    I've experienced better.  The chicken vesuvio is ok.

  • 3.0 star rating
    12/19/2006

    I am starting to think that it is easy to find good italian in this city, but it is really hard to find excellent italian food.

    There were 4 of us that went to the restaurant, had a reservation and only waited 5 min MAX to get the table, which was great since the place was packed, and it was a Monday night. Restaurant is small, so tables are packed in, but not as bad as some other places I have visited. We started with bruscheta and fried calamari, both done well. Bruscheta was crunchy, with great tomato and basil taste. One of the best I have had in a restaurant compared to my own homemade with garden tomoatoes. The wait staff were very friendly, the person who seated us was very nice, stopping by multiple times to check on us, a very nice guy.

    The main courses though are where its just ok. I had the staple chicken vesuvio, potatoes were great, garlicky and browned. the chicken on the other hand was almost boiled in texture, and didn't have much taste. Portion was mid size, adequate for the price. Other dishes were a vodka cream sauce with shrimp, good flavor. Others had lasagna and the other meal was a chicken dish with sausage. Ok flavors, standard fare, nothing extraordinary. Total bill was $100 without tip, so a great price for 4, though none of us drank alcohol that night.

    All in all, cozy, comfortable, nice staff, good price, but the food was only ok, nothing to really drive me back on a regular basis.

    Parking was easy as well, or they valet was the cheapest price i have seen in some time, 5 bucks, short of the burbs.

    I will definitely give it another try, with another menu item to see if it will stand out more. Its tough to differentiate an Italian restaurant in a city chock full of them, and when so many people think a chain like magianos is the best thing on this planet for Italian food, places may not feel they need to kick it up to that next level, which is understandable.

  • 2.0 star rating
    10/17/2010

    Meh. Food is average--and overly Americanized. Wine list is uninspired. The place is extremely crowded and at the end of my last meal there, after spending $350, the manager came by my table and asked us to leave so he could seat another party. Sorry, but that's incredibly unprofessional and rude. I'm not going back--there are better Italian restaurants in Chicago with better ambience, service and of course, much better food.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/11/2009

    Awesome food-- just be sure to make a reservation!  Even with a reservation, be prepared to wait 15-20 minutes but the food is worth the wait.  

    Portions are big and prices are reasonable (although at that location, they are probably making a nice profit!)  

    Highly recommend!

  • 5.0 star rating
    2/15/2009

    Their Linguine with Clam Sauce is one of the best that I've had - plentiful portions of fresh clams. My friend ordered the grilled calamari and she can't stop herself from going back for more..

  • 2.0 star rating
    2/23/2006

    So here is my deal with La Scarola.   Since Jason has mentioned it and only gave the restaurant 4 stars because he knows I got sick there, I feel like I should explain.

    I have been to La Scarola several times.  The shrimp Armani appetizer is great and I have had several very good pasta dishes there.  On a recent trip, a friend recommended I get the Veal Chop alla Gabe --- it was his favorite dish, how could I go wrong?  

    When the dish came out, there was enough food to feed a small village, it was a 10 oz. Veal chop pounded paper thin, breaded and pan fried set over diced potatoes.  Finished off with a ton of garlic, some parsley, lemon and SOAKING in olive oil.  In general, I am a pretty healthy eater so I don't know if it was just eating so much breaded, fried oily stuff that got me sick, or if there was something in the food that made me sick, but I was violently ill all night and the entire next day.  It was no fun and has now tarnished my view of La Scarola.  I know a bunch of other people who love this place, so check it out for yourself, but I did have one very bad experience.

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/2/2009

    I thought this was the best Italian food I have ever had!  We had a Christmas party there and it was wonderful.  Packed atmosphere and really 'authentic'-  Had grilled Calamari and Sausage and Peppers for apps, both were great, I had Steak Vesuvio which was perfect, and tried a bite of everyone else's...goat cheese Risotto, Penne w/Shrimp and Vodka, the Fagioli soup...everything was so good I stuffed myself without embarrassment.   Can't wait to go back!

La Scarola - 157 Photos - Italian - River West - Chicago, IL - Reviews - Menu - Yelp
 
Map
Edit
  • Ad

    Big Bricks

    4.0 star rating
    236 reviews
    4.4 Miles away from La Scarola

    Welcome to the home of mouthwatering pizza, low & slow smoked BBQ, and over 20 beers on tap! We pride ourselves on providing a classic Chicago… read more

Recommended Reviews

Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more.
  • 4.0 star rating
    1/21/2008

    When I die, I would like to be entombed inside a giant cannoli.

    OK so I'm not Italian - not even a smidge - so I'm not going to do the obligatory railing about how this place is authentic and they make their own pasta and blah blah blah

    It's just damn good, alright?

    Jason L., man of insurmountable taste, took me here for my 24th birthday.  We were kinda ballin' that night so we got two appetizers - grilled calamari and steamed mussels. Jesus, Mary and Joseph - you really must see the size of their sea creatures. They've been juicin'.

    I had shrimp cappellini diavolo and it was spicy hot and tasty. I think this would be a great place to come if you were gearing up for a marathon because every entree contains about 5 pounds of fresh pasta. Expect to have 2 meals worth of leftovers.

    I wasn't too wild about sitting directly next to the bar cash register which had a bell that dinged every fucking time the drawer was opened. But after enough wine and food I was able to mostly tune it out. Oh, and where the hell was my tequila?! That'll teach me to expect freebies based on Yelp reviews.

    The cannoli made me believe in God. You need to have this. It's the best.

    I will definitely want to come back here. I think I still like Angelina's better for Italian food in the city (plus their ambiance is waaaaaay better) but La Scarola is a close second.

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/18/2009

    After hearing about La Scarola for months I decided to give it a shot.  My husband and I made reservations a few days in advance.  I would recommend when you make reservations to ask for a table the one of the back rooms, they are much cozier than the front room by the entrance.  Now about the food, I'm not a huge Italian food person but I must say the food here was good, and the portions are just huge.  We asked the waiter what he recommended and I ordered the Chipotle Chicken with bow tie pasta and my husband got the Veal.  I enjoyed every bite and felt like a pig digging into this huge plate of carbs, I had no shame though, I finished what I could and took the rest home.  The reason I didn't give it five stars is because the waiters are not too friendly and the service was just okay, not great.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/28/2011
    1 check-in

    Went here with the wife and son as a precursor to seeing Peter Pan in the 365 Theater. We had grilled Calamari as an appetizer which was fantastic and fresh. My son really wanted Fettuccine Alfredo, but it's not on their menu. They obliged and asked if he'd like Shrimp added. He agreed and absolutely loved it. We loved the fact they were so flexible and attentive. We were there by 5:30 on a Saturday night, and by 6pm - very early in that neighborhood - it was full. I had a special which was Gnocchi with Sausage and Portabello Mushrooms. Also fantastic and incredibly flavorful, lots of garlic, basil, etc. My wife had Chicken Vesuvio, which she liked very much, but thought both of our pastas were even better. This place is Old School. Not a fine dining experience. More like eating at your Nanas, or better yet, your Italian friend's Nana's. Down to earth people, big portions, great flavors, good bar....and very small. I have been many many times over the years on business, with friends, and now with family. I can only report deliciousness each time. Make reservations and you'll get in for sure. Go early. No resv's and walk in at 8 ?? Not so much.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/21/2008

    The epitome of excellent hospitality!  A++ food is only exceeded by the friendliness of the owner Armando who took care of our party as if he was part of the family.  I will be back, I suggest all to go.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/15/2009

    Hands down the best Italian food in Chicago. Be sure to make reservations its hard to get in sometimes. The majority of the time the staff has been nice although occasionally they are arrogant and seem too busy for you. The food is so good it doesnt matter.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/7/2008
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    I can't say anything than Lalalala lalala means I love La Scarola. The Chief Cook or I guess he is the owner, he is  very friendly .Great food. I love the calamari and the fettucini alfredo with clams. I highly recommend this place if you crave for Italian food.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/21/2009

    Did someone say Calamari?  This homey restaurant probably has the best calamari I have ever eaten.  I can't wait to go back to Chicago to eat there again.

  • 3.0 star rating
    12/30/2008

    i thought la scarola was fine... it's typical italian-american food. the bruschetta was standard, i had a white fish with a butter sauce, and a rock-hard cannoli. i guess i just expect more out of a successful italian restaurant in chicago. one thing that was great was the escarole... guess it lives up to the name. the atmosphere is warm and inviting.

    good to eat: escarole.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/28/2009 Updated review

    If your goal is authentic, rustic, hearty Italian dishes, look no further than La Scarola.  i can't believe I haven't yelped about this place yet.
    Yes, the wait can be long (especially Friday and Saturday nights) even with reservations.  Yes, it can get loud inside (and a little cramped).  Yes, there is a reason people come back to this place.  Who cares?  Go grab a cocktail at either Richards (next door) or Emmit's Pub (just around the corner - actually, on the corner).
    Food like this is a special thing.  It is an experience instead of a meal.  The insane amount of celebrity pictures tells the story of the who's who that have eaten there.  Celebrities pop in from time to time.  A friend of mine who works part time as a driver for a movie production company told me that he's had plenty of celebs in town for various movies ask him to drive to La Scarola - by name.  Look long enough and you'll see local celebs photos too (athletes, actors, politicians, singers, news people).
    The veal marsala is, in this eaters opinion, one of, if not the, best iterations I've ever experienced.  The rissoto is fantastic, as is the old-school pasta with meatballs.  Frankly, I haven't had a dish I haven't liked.  Even the fish, and I hate fish.  Entrees are large and you must take them home, lest you curse own stupidity.  There is no finer lunch than the one where your coworkers keep asking what you're eating and where you got it.
    Calamari is a nice starter, but nothing makes me happier than the bruschetta.  Fresh, fragrant and tangy, the tomato mix is a nice start to a meal.
    But no matter what you do, no matter the restaurant you eat at, always ask which dessert is fresh made.  Some of the best restaurants order that stuff in, and it comes from factories that load it up with fat, sugar, and chemicals to ensure flavor intensity and a long shelf life.  At La Scarola, you must not skip the canolli.  This treasure of a dessert is made fresh on site and is a classic example of the exquisitely simple indulgence.  The contrast of the shell's crunchy texture and the interplay of the creamy sweet filling make this Sicilian favorite a powerful experience.  Shut your eyes and concentrate on the flavors and textures and you run the risk of refusing to share even a bite.
    I've twice been comped for no other reason than being nice, friendly, and understanding about having to wait a little longer than expected.
    I tell people when they travel to hunt out that local gem for a true city experience.  Ignore the big box theme restaurants - they're safe bets, but boring, like winning $2 on a $1 lottery ticket.  Gems like La Scarola are exactly what I mean.  A classic Chicago restaurant like this should be busy every night they are open.  One visit here and you'll want to come back, damn the wait.
    This restaurant earns my highest rating.  I can and do recommend this place to everyone who loves food.

    5.0 star rating
    4/10/2008 Previous review
    Fantastic food and very easy to handle prices make this place a true standout.
    I was there when a…
    Read more
  • 3.0 star rating
    5/5/2009

    man...how i want to love this place..its everything i am..except sicilian...i love how packed it gets..and then they make you go next door to an awesome dive bar called richard's...they are in cahoots..guaranteed...and the grilled octopus is fantastic as ive seen in some yelpers reviews...

    but the main entrees...they just miss it..they just miss being 4 stars...i do like this place..dont get me wrong..go here and experience it...tables on top of tables and people standing in the aisles waiting to sit..its really a cool environment..i like that grand area too over there..i think its the next up and coming area if we ever figure out how to spend money again...but i cant help to say my meal all 3 times has been just average..i dont know why..maybe my expectations are just too high..but i prefer a nice rosebud restaurant over la scarola..ive tried pastas and fishes and veal..and just cant find something i love..

    for those that give it 4 and 5 stars..im very proud of you...it is good..i just think they can do better..

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/27/2011

    I went here a few weekends ago with my parents and my boyfriend to celebrate my graduation from graduate school. Our dinner was literally perfect. Our waiter was amazing, the food was delicious (and family sized portions), the wine list was really nice. We didn't feel rushed at all. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my waiter introduced me to Cubs Manager Mike Quade. If you're looking for the best Italian food in Chicago, and the best service to boot, check out La Scarola.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/1/2008

    Delicious! The food here was amazing. Simple dishes, yet very well done. We were a little late getting seated but that was the fault of a huge group that refused to leave. The host was even classy enough to give us glasses of wine to make up for the wait. Highly recommended (especially for a weeknight)!

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/18/2008

    It's kind of tough to have such high expectations from a place, but I did since it was highly recommended by my half Italian roommate.  The prices are pretty reasonable, and the portions are pretty big.  Everyone has there own preferences, and my tastebuds liked it but didn't exactly capture the wow factor I was looking for.  We made reservations, and only had to wait 10 minutes before getting seated.  The place is small having 2 rooms, but very cute.  Many celebrities like to eat here as the walls were decorated with pictures and signed autographs.  My friend told me she got to steal looks at Johnny Depp when he ate there in the other room.  Our appetizers were fabulous - the mussels, breaded clams, and the fried calamari.  I do think the marinara sauce for the calamari tasted too much like ketchup though.  My pasta with the chipotle sauce was good, but not as good as my brother-in-law's chicken linguine or the pasta with vodka sauce.  There are some dishes better than others, and I would recommend going with what you like as opposed to what the servers might recommend.  The staff here is spectacular in providing great service.  They are personable and friendly, and truly want you to have an enjoyable experience.

  • 5.0 star rating
    1/1/2008
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    Have been here 3 times now and have had an amazing experience every time!  Suggest making reservations - this place gets packed.  Our favorite appetizer is the grilled calamari - perfectly marinated and especially good with lots of fresh lemon juice on top!  So far we've tried pastas, veal, risotto...my favorites are the risotto di primavera, gnocchi and the tilapia special.  The spicy angel hair pasta with shrimp and arugula is also great!  Prices are very reasonable (our wine bill has surpassed the food bill almost every time) and service is always great.  I love when Armando sends over free shots to the table!!!  Gracias Armando!

  • 5.0 star rating
    12/26/2010

    We found this place on Yelp after a long day of post-Christmas museum-ing, and it's just what we needed!  The atmosphere is authentic:  lively, crowded, full of folks enjoying the company and the food.  And the food is great!  This isn't the finest of Italian dining, but it is delicious, the portions are huge, and the service is great.  The pasta & fagiole soup is TO DIE FOR.  Trust.

  • 4.0 star rating
    6/20/2009

    I took my girlfriend here for Valentine's Day dinner and was I glad I chose this place.  

    When you first walk in, the tables are a bit close together, but you get over it quickly due to the friendly, knowledgeable service and cozy atmosphere.  The food was scrumptious and the portions were a bit large, but having leftovers from here was definitely not a problem.  If you're a bit of a health nut like myself, the plates are probably calorie bombs, but hell, you gotta indulge once in awhile and this is the place to do it.  

    Depending on where you're coming from, I'd suggest just getting a taxi if walking is not feasible (and since parking in Chicago can be a pain and expensive).  This place is great for couples.  At the end of the night, the waiter even gave us a free dessert of chocolate covered strawberries.  I left fat and happy for sure.  

    I highly recommend La Scarola and look forward to going back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    10/10/2007

    Since there are already a ton of reviews for this place, I will only comment on a few things:
    1)  The Pasta Vesuvio is a fantastic dish!  One of our friends had a gift certificate for this place and invited us along.  My wife ordered the Vesuvio, and I ordered something else.  I can't even remember what I ordered because the Vesuvio was the hit of the dinner.  Usually my wife is all like..."Hey you should try this, it is good."  But, since it was SO good, she didn't say anything and was hogging the whole thing to herself.  So of course everyone is asking how the meal is, and we are all like..."We should have come here before, what were we thinking!"  And finally my wife hesitantly asks if I want to try her dish.  My goodness, it was so delicious.  Everyone wanted to have more and more of her meal!  
    2)  You can get take out here, which is nice for us because our little twin turds prevent us from getting out of the house.  Anyway, I ordered the lasagna which is solid and the Pasta Vesuvio.  Too bad that the take out version was just not as good as when you eat in the restaurant.  The pasta was a little water logged and soggy, and the sauce just didn't match when it comes straight out of the kitchen.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/24/2008

    What a gem!! This place is as busy as it gets, but the service is top notch. All the servers busboys and even the owner make you feel like family. Went with a party of 4 and everyone was delighted. We even got a round of tequila on the house Armando is one of the partners and is one of the funniest people I've met. Will definitely return next time I go to Chicago.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/20/2008

    Everything was as perfect as it could be.  Suitably cozy and crowded with fantastic food and outstanding service.  Broad menu with something for every taste, great wine list and did I mention the outstanding service?  It may be the perfect Italian joint.  Can't wait to go back.

  • 4.0 star rating
    8/13/2008

    Good old school Italian food.  Family run type place where the waiters take great pride in what they do and the food they serve.  The waiters (at least ours!) was also very old school style  Italian waiter. Good recommendations provided; good wines.  Service was great, even for a group of 12+ that we had.

  • 5.0 star rating
    8/11/2007

    My girlfriend and I went to La Scarola for dinner when we were in Chicago for a week. The host Alfonzo was AMAZINGLY nice. He gave us each a free shot of Cognac and well the atmosphere and food was spectacular! She had the Pasta Primavera and I had the Risotto Primavera both of which were spectacular. The portions were huge and well we both we unable to finish they were so large. Another great item on the menu is the house salad, it is to die for. The house red wines are also a great treat with your meal. I highly recommend La Scarola and would go back any day of the week for the best Italian food I have had in a long while.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/25/2007

    i don't know how anyone can give this restaurant less than 4 stars.  to christina s., i doubt 90 something people who have gave this restaurant great reviews have horrible taste in food.

    this is by far one of the best italian restaurants in the chicago area. i order fried calamarie at almost every italian restaurant, and la scarola's is AMAZING. everyone at our table had something different, and we agreed that all the food was delicious. our old italian waiter was great, and it felt that i was eating in my grandmother's kitchen among friends.

    if you don't like the atmosphere or decor, go to some pretentious restaurant with horrible service, average food, and outlandish prices. it'll be one less table that people have to wait for at la scarola.

    as a side note, while we probably just got lucky, my girlfriends and i got there at 8:30 on a saturday night and were seated immediately with no reservation.

  • 5.0 star rating
    11/4/2010

    great service great food, couldnt ask for anything else!

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/18/2008

    As a former East Coast resident now living in Seattle, I am saddened by the dearth of good Italian food in the Great Northwest. But visiting La Scarola for our anniversary dinner brought tears to my eyes in a good way. The crowded, familiar atmosphere, the tough but friendly waiters, and let's not forget the food. Oh, the food. Our grilled calamari was tasty and had the perfect texture, and I can't remember what my husband ordered because my face was buried in my veal marsala for the bulk of the meal. I was so overjoyed, I kissed the owner, who was meandering through the restaurant, making sure everyone enjoyed themselves. He responded with a round of shots. It was a wonderful evening and I hope to return to Chicago just to eat here again.

  • 5.0 star rating
    10/29/2007

    Mmmmm! Yummy! I had the salmon over risotto with zucchini on the side. It was pretty good - although I do think it could have been better with a wedge of lime or lemon juice on the salmon.  Still, the risotto was excellent. The zucchini was flavorful. The salmon was moist. Big portions too. I took half home for the next day's lunch! Also, great service. You might want to make reservations, though. We had a party of 5 on a Wednesday night around 7:30pm and without reservations, waited about half hour for a table.

  • 4.0 star rating
    3/11/2010

    A large Italian menu and some great--and unique--dishes.  We loved everything we got.  Friendly enough waitstaff and maybe you'll enjoy seeing all the pictures of famous people on the wall.  I suspect you want to make reservations, though I'm not sure they actually _do_ anything when you make them.  (I've heard you should come ready to wait for your reservation, though we didn't have to.)

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/24/2008

    I'm definitely a fan of La Scarola. And this is in spite of the one-hour wait my friends and I had to endure (on a rainy day no less, we had to hide in the divebar next doors for a bit) even though we had made a reservation. But once we got our seats and the appetizers and wine started coming, all was forgiven - the server was friendly and helpful, and the food was just amazing. Try out the grilled calamari, and the risotto with the bacon-wrapped shrimp....YUMMY!

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/10/2007
    Listed in Top Restaurants

    This is my go to Italian place, especially when friends come into town to visit.  There are enough great steak places in Chicago, but with La Scarola you get an extraordinary Italian meal and then you can roll yourself over to Richard's Bar next door for cheap beers and a fun time.  Say Hi to Alex at Richard's Bar...he's the old bar keep behind the counter who serves cold beer and good conversation.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/8/2008

    Excellent, excellent, excellent!  Go now!

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/25/2008

    We went here for the first time on New Years.  I got the Steak Vesuvio and it was amazing.  The sauce was perfect and the meat was tender.  Our group got a few seafood appetizers which they liked (I don't like seafood).  They asked us to change tables before our entrees arrived and gave us a free round of drinks.  I went back a few weeks later and had the Chicken Vesuvio and it was equally as good.  And got free shots :) The only reason I can't give this place 5 stars is becuase it is just too crowded. They have you wait at the bar, but there is no room to move over there.  La Scarola would be perfect, if it was a little bit bigger.

  • 5.0 star rating
    5/16/2010
    Listed in Chicago Favorites!

    Finally a reason to catch up on some yelping.  This place is basically amazing.  If you want authentic italian food, this is where you get it.  Our table ordered calamari, mussels, lasagna, eggplant, sea bass and ravioli.  Everything was just absolutely delicious.  Real authentic italian food.  I cannot stress enough how much better homemade pasta is.  The portions are of course huge.  I really enjoyed the fact that despite the size of the entrees, nothing seemed super heavy, overly sauced or breaded.  The atmosphere is charming, relaxed, fun and very italian.  We made reservations and only had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. The owner brought us shots of tequila while we waited, which only made the experience that much more fun of course.  It was very crowded and you're in pretty close proximity to all the other diners.  We were talking to people on both sides of us throughout the night.  Everyone wants to know what everyone else is ordering. This is the kind of place where it's ok to be looking over shoulders at people's plates to see what they have.  It just has that very italian family vibe.  We did wait quite some time for our entrees, but it was more than worth it.  When everything is so fresh and homemade, I don't mind waiting for it!

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/24/2011

    Dined with some out-of-town relatives on a Saturday night.  Consistent with some other reviews, we were delayed in being seated, even though we made a reservation.  The wait was not too long, and we were seated about 20 minutes later.  The wait was worth it.  The restaurant it self is small and congested, with no real reception or waiting area.  However, once you get seated, you are are treated to outstanding food and very solid service.  I concur with previous reviews that the calamari is superb. The entrees were all very good, and portions were sufficient that everyone in our party had left-overs.  Overall , a great dining experience.

  • 4.0 star rating
    5/6/2008

    Such a great Italian spot. Cozy atmosphere and yummy food. Great seafood selections, and wine. Reminds me of the family trattorias in Italy. I love the messy and crowded wall with so many random pictures. Service is excellent too, even if it's a big group. If you like unique, fun dining spots rather than the mainstream, upscale Lux-type of places, this is the way to go.

  • 4.0 star rating
    7/13/2008

    Had dinner last night and this was probably one of my top choices for italian food in the city!! The resturaunt was small and crowded, but there is a reason so many people were cramping this place and its the yummo food... I had the egg plant parm, perfectly done .... and the portions were very generous!  The fish and pasta dishes my friends selected were also very tasty .  We also tried 3 desserts, canoli (best Ive had ever, very rich), tiramisu also good, and choc. mouse cake.... great for a family / friends / or a date, enjoy....

  • 4.0 star rating
    4/23/2008
    Listed in My Neighborhood

    Awesome food, great service, very cozy.  The wine list is great and the price is very reasonable.  We went on a Tuesday and had no problems getting in without reservations, but we were placed at a cramped little table by the bar.

  • 4.0 star rating
    1/18/2010

    Great food. Cramped seating. Great casual ambiance. Enjoyed our experience.  Only negative- double check your bill, mine had lots of extra stuff in it. I'll assume it was honest mistake and return.

  • 5.0 star rating
    9/15/2010

    One of the best Italian places I've been to in the city! Food is fresh, the service is great, and the atmosphere is peaceful. Would recommend for foodies, friends and date night!

  • 4.0 star rating
    9/5/2005

    This place looks super sketchy from the outside but is actually one of the best italian places in the city!  The staff is very friendly and the broccoli and goat cheese pasta is yummy!

  • 2.0 star rating
    7/24/2009

    I've had several good meals at La Scarola in the past, but based on my experience last night, a two star rating is generous. Tables seemed to be more "on top of each other" than I'd remembered. The restaurant was deafeningly noisy.  It was impossible to have a conversation without yelling - no exaggeration.  What's more, the food was nothing special.

  • 5.0 star rating
    6/29/2009

    I'm going to go ahead and say that this place has the best italian food in the city. My experience going here started by the owner telling me it would be a little bit of a wait so I should go next door and graba  drink at the shadeball bar right next door. Went in and had a few drinks for liek 30 mins. and I started getting mad. I thought about leaving but was seated shortly after. The owner came to my table and said that he was sorry and wanted to make it up to me...went on to bring over about 15 tequila shots and he did equally as many for me with everyone else in the place. Once I ordered my food, I was in such a good mood I could have eaten cement and wouldnt have cared.  Let me tell you, it was worth the wait because everything I ate was unbelievable. Calamari was great and tasted amazing. Next, the gnocchi was like biting into silk and exploding into your mouth with a punch that screams "why are you not shoveling more into your mouth?" At the end of the meal, the owner came by and said he was sorry and comped the meal. I will go back here in a heart beat.